GEORGE TOWN: With the emerging the new Omicron variant, Sarawakians residing in Penang are holding back plans to return to their hometown to cast their ballots on Saturday.

       Brendan Lo Rick, 33, who is a manager with a multinational corporation here, said initially he was open to returning home to cast his ballot in the Sarawak election, but changed his mind due to safety concerns.

       “Many of my friends from my own hometown who are working in Penang have also decided not to return home to vote.

       “In pre-pandemic times, I would fly home to Kuching to cast my ballot.

       “But now, times are different and my priority is the safety and health of my loved ones.

       “I am also unable to return home on such short notice due to important work commitments,” he said.

       Lo, who is from Kuching, called on the Election Commission to allow Sarawakians living in Peninsular Malaysia like him to qualify as postal voters for future elections.

       Another Sarawakian, recruitment consultant Lau Hon Wee, 26, also from Kuching, said he had no plans to return to his hometown anytime soon.

       “To me, the situation is not convincing. I have not returned to Kuching since 2019 and I have no plans to do so until next year, depending on the situation then.

       “Looking back at the Sabah election, the situation then should be a lesson for us.

       “I remember at that time, we only had few cases and even zero cases on some days for a long time, but all our efforts in battling the pandemic were undone because of one election,” he said.

       Lau also urged the government to change the law to allow Sarawakians and Sabahans working in the peninsula to qualify as postal voters in the future.

       “As much as we want to carry out our responsibilities as citizens, we have to think of the health and well-being of ourselves and our family,” he said.