PETALING JAYA: Employers are urged to grant Indonesian employees time off from work so they can vote in the 2024 Indonesian presidential election. The election is scheduled to take place on Feb 14, 2024, while Indonesian voters living abroad will cast their ballots on Feb 11, which coincides with the second day of Chinese New Year in Malaysia. Although Feb 11 is a Sunday and a public holiday, certain workers, especially in the domestic and cleaning sectors, still need to work, warned Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia Hermono. As a result, Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah called on employers to allow their workers to take leave to vote during her visit to Malaysia on Oct 21.
Hermono explained, “That’s the reason the Minister requested all employers to allow their workers to go to polling stations. Participating in general elections is everybody’s political right stipulated in our law.” He emphasized the importance of exercising this right and expressed his hope for a higher voter turnout in the upcoming election, as Indonesians will be electing a new president. “I encourage all Indonesian workers in Malaysia to exercise their political rights because every single vote may determine the future leader of Indonesia,” said Hermono.
Moreover, Hermono confirmed that the Malaysian authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police, have been informed about the early voting scheduled for Feb 11. He expressed gratitude for the ongoing cooperation from Malaysian authorities in previous elections and other activities involving the Indonesian community in Malaysia. He further stated, “We are grateful that for the next elections, the police will help us to ensure public order and a smooth process.”
Overall, employers in Malaysia are requested to grant Indonesian workers leave from work on Feb 11, 2024, allowing them to cast their votes in the upcoming Indonesian presidential election. The call for leave is directed specifically towards workers in the domestic sector and cleaning, who may still have to work despite Feb 11 being a Sunday and a public holiday. The Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Hermono, highlighted the importance of exercising the political rights of Indonesian workers and expressed hope for increased voter turnout. Additionally, the cooperation and assistance of Malaysian authorities have been enlisted to ensure a peaceful and organized election process.
