South Africans In Malaysia Cast Votes Early In Landmark Election
By Nabilah Saleh
KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 (Bernama) -- South Africans residing mainly in Malaysia cast their early votes for the 2024 General Elections at the High Commission here on Saturday.
South African High Commissioner to Malaysia and Brunei, David E. Malcomson, said Kuala Lumpur remains the primary voting location, with voters travelling from various parts of the country as well as from Brunei and Cambodia.
The voting signifies not only the active participation of South Africans abroad but also marks a critical moment in South Africa’s democratic journey, celebrating 30 years since liberation.
“It is 30 years of democracy and Malaysia has been with us all the way from before democracy and since democracy,” said Malcomson when met by Bernama at the High Commission on Saturday.
He noted that the voting on Saturday was the fifth time at the High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, with around 190 voters registered.
Nearly 28 million registered South African voters will vote on May 29 to elect representatives to the national and provincial parliaments.
Dubbed a momentous election, it will be the country’s seventh democratic general election.
Speaking on the implications of the election’s outcomes on bilateral relations with Malaysia, Malcomson offered a reassuring perspective on the enduring partnership between the two nations.
“I don’t think it’ll impact at all because the relationship between South Africa and Malaysia is so strong,” he said, emphasising the historical bonds forged during South Africa’s liberation struggle and maintained by mutual strategic interests.
Malcomson was confident of stronger Malaysia-South Africa ties going forward, highlighting new developments under the administration of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is keen on revitalising the bilateral relationship.
“Prime Minister Anwar has told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that there needs to be a new focus. Last year, we agreed as the foreign ministries to concentrate on strengthening and reviving the relationship, led by Anwar and President Cyril Ramaphosa on the South African side,” he added.
South Africa’s General Elections have taken place every five years since 1994 when white-minority rule ended and the African National Congress (ANC) came to power.
The ANC, now led by Ramaphosa, is contesting against the Democratic Alliance (DA) led by John Steenhuisen, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) led by Julius Malema, and 49 other registered political parties.
-- BERNAMA
