Bosses must let workers return to home town to vote, says deputy minister

Employers must allow their workers to return to their respective home towns to cast their votes in the six state elections next month, says Deputy Human Resources Minister Mustapha Sakmud.

However, he said the ministry had no plans to issue a circular on the matter, citing existing provisions in the Election Offences Act 1954.

"The existing act states that employers can be fined up to RM5,000 or sentenced to jail for up to one year if they refuse to allow their employees to exercise their right to vote.

"All employers must comply with the act and allow their employees to return to their home towns to vote... and for employees, if you are not allowed to return to your home town to vote, please file a report with the Department of Labour or our other related agencies for further action," he said in Marang today.

Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu will go to the polls on Aug 12, with nomination on July 29 and early voting on Aug 8.