Employers face fines or jail for blocking staff from voting in Johor elections

Employers in Malaysia must grant their registered and eligible employees adequate time to cast their ballots in the Johor state elections. The Election Commission (SPR) has issued a stern reminder to employers, emphasizing their legal obligations to facilitate employee participation in the democratic process.

According to SPR Secretary Datuk Khairul Shahril Idrus, employers are prohibited from making any deductions from wages or salaries, or imposing penalties on employees for exercising their right to vote. This directive is rooted in Section 25 of the Election Offences Act 1954, which ensures that workers can fulfill their civic duty without facing repercussions.

Any employer found to be directly or indirectly refusing to provide reasonable time or obstructing employees from voting will be considered to have committed an offense. Such violations carry a potential penalty of a RM5,000 fine or a one-year prison sentence upon conviction. The SPR urges full cooperation from all employers to ensure a smooth voting process and encourage high voter turnout.