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Sunday January 6, 2013

New York consulate prepares for overseas vote


NEW YORK: The Malaysian consulate-general here is preparing for the first-ever voting allowed for Malaysians living abroad for the coming 13th general election.

The New York consulate has a large jurisdiction that embraces 17 states in the United States. Malaysian passport holders residing in these states can come to the New York consulate to cast their ballot.

However, Malaysia's consul-general Syed Mohammed Bakri Syed Abdul Rahman said it was “very important” for Malaysian nationals interested in casting their votes to first read and understand the guidelines for overseas voting available on the Election Commission's website.

“Malaysians voting abroad have to first register with the Election Commission and get themselves certified as eligible voters before they come to the consulate to vote.”

There are some 15,500 Malaysian nationals officially registered with the consulate from its consular jurisdiction over the 17 states.

However, Syed Mohammed Bakri believed the unofficial figure of Malaysians living in the New York consulate's jurisdiction could be as high as 100,000 because many of them did not register themselves.

Syed Mohammed Bakri said his aim was to increase contacts with the Malaysian business fraternity on the east coast and find out “what we can do to help”. - Bernama

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