THE United Kingdom and Eire (Ireland) Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC) has apologised to volunteer body VoteMalaysia (VM) over remarks made about collecting postal votes for the August state polls but remained firm in its decision to leave the coalition.

Its chairman Syed Rifqi Najmuddin Syed Azidi said the council would retract its statement on VM not being transparent and undemocratic, and seeking support from political parties.

Syed Rifqi also took responsibility for all decisions made by UKEC.

“In our explanation (statement), we revealed details that were not finalised.

“This is on VM being involved with political parties and having intentions to leave out Kelantan and Terengganu in the state polls.

“We apologise to VM, the public and volunteers for any unintended consequences caused,” he posted on Instagram. 

VM is a non-partisan initiative formed by student movements across the globe to facilitate postal voting for Malaysians abroad.

On Wednesday, UKEC said it had withdrawn from VM after the coalition allegedly refused to send postal votes to east coast states in the state elections.

“On June 16, VM tentatively agreed to provide logistical coverage to facilitate the postal voting process in only Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Penang and Selangor. 

“The remaining states, Kelantan and Terengganu, were to be left out of the initiative.

“Then on June 24, VM made a decision to seek voluntary support and manpower from political parties, primarily those within Malaysia’s ruling coalition, to conduct volunteer work for VoteMalaysia.

“These decisions are undemocratic, partisan and not transparent,” UKEC had said in its statement. 

Syed Rifqi said the council acknowledges that the statement issued has cast doubt in VM’s efforts to support postal voting. 

“UKEC, however, maintains that our purpose is to serve Malaysian students in line with our values and principles. 

“We still firmly stand by our decision to leave the coalition as our values are no longer aligned with VM. 

“We will continue to serve through our own means.”

Yesterday, VM denied allegations that it was working with political parties. 

“We will be delivering ballots to the six states including Terengganu and Kelantan,” it said. – July 7, 2023.