Gerakan today declared that it is against the proposal by the Election Commission disallowing none tax paying Malaysians living overseas to voting in elections. Its Deputy National President, Dato’ Chang Ko Youn said in a statement that such a move would stifle democracy and discourage Malaysians living abroad from participating in the electoral process thus discouraging their eventual return to Malaysia.

Gerakan goes at principle which is by following what is stipulated in the Federal Constitution. Section 1 of Article 119 of the Federal Constitution provided that “every citizen who has attained the age of twenty- one years on the qualifying date and is resident in a constituency on such qualifying date or, if not so resident, is an absent voter, is entitled to vote in that constituency in any election to the House of Representatives or the Legislative Assembly unless he is disqualified under Clause (3) or under any law relating to offences committed in connection with elections; but no person shall in the same election vote in more than one constituency.”

Dato Chang said, “The Federal Constitution provided that every Malaysian who has attained 21 are eligible to become voters, and thus, it is very unfair to discriminate Malaysian on their right to vote on their tax paying status. The Election Commission must understand that the right to vote is part of the citizenship rights and not tied to the paying of taxes.”

“Why do we continue to make life so difficult for Malaysians living abroad? We must be inclusive and allow all Malaysians living abroad to vote regardless whether they pay tax or not. By allowing oversea Malaysians to participate in the electoral process, we ensure they continue to be attached and involved in the affairs of the state,” stressed Chang who is also Chairman of the Gerakan Central Bureau on the Law and Human Rights.

Chang also said he disagreed with the need for any “litmus test” to be imposed on Malaysians living abroad to prove their attachment to the nation. He said as long they are Malaysian citizens, they should be allowed to vote.

“I do not see a need to ape the American or Taiwanese system. We are a sovereign and democratic nation, we should set our own rules,” added Chang.