JOHOR BARU: The land border with Singapore should be reopened before polling day to allow some 200,000 Johoreans in the island republic to cast their votes, says PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang.

       Chang, who is also Tanjung Malim MP, said those living in Singapore should not be left out on the opportunity to decide the fate of their state.

       “The border should have opened on March 1 but until today, it remains closed. We urge the government to open it as soon as possible.

       “Only 7,814 people living overseas have registered for postal voting. This is a very worrying figure and it showed the Election Commission (EC) had failed to carry out its duty,” he told a press conference at Taman Tropika, Kulai.

       He said the election could have a voter turnout of below 50% if Johoreans living in Singapore did not return.

       PKR candidate for the Tiram seat, S. Gopalakrishnan, said he would make full use of social media to get outstation voters in Malaysia to return.

       “We are disappointed with the low number of registration for postal voters. Only about 800 Tiram voters overseas registered for postal voting.

       “We urge those who could travel home, especially people living in other states in the country, to do so. Their vote matters,” he said, adding that those facing trouble to return home could reach out to his team for assistance.

       Meanwhile, Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) candidate for the Bukit Permai seat, Azrol Rahani, said the party had launched a campaign to encourage overseas voters to register for postal voting.

       “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the number of registration is still low. We are disappointed with the figure.

       “We hope the government can open up the border before polling day to make up for the low number of postal voter registration.

       “Muda will continue to encourage outstation voters to return,” he said.