Respect Worship Days: Madius Urges Election Commission to Hold Nomination and Polling Between Monday and Thursday

TUARAN, Oct 6 — Following the dissolution of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on Monday, Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau has called on the Election Commission (EC) to avoid setting nomination and polling days on traditional days of worship — namely Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

He said that holding electoral processes on such days fails to reflect adherence to the first principle of the Rukun Negara — Belief in God.

“Friday is the day of worship for Muslims; Saturday is the Sabbath for Seventh-Day Adventists and the True Jesus Church; while Sunday is the day of worship for Christians, including Roman Catholics and Protestants,”

he explained in a statement today.

Madius proposed that nomination and polling be conducted between Monday and Thursday to demonstrate genuine respect for Malaysia’s religious diversity.
He further emphasized that the Rukun Negara clearly calls for every faith to be given space and respect to practice their beliefs without interference, including from political or electoral activities.

“When we uphold a principle, we must embody and live by it.
The Rukun Negara is not merely a verbal pledge — it must guide our values and actions in national life,”
he said.

The Honorary President of the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (UPKO) noted that there are precedents for elections being held on regular weekdays.
“For instance, the 14th General Election (GE14) on May 9, 2018, was held on a Wednesday, and the Permatang Pauh by-election on May 7, 2015, fell on a Thursday — both proceeded smoothly.

However, recent elections have taken place on worship days — the 15th General Election (GE15) on November 19, 2022, and its nomination day on November 5, 2022, both fell on Saturdays, causing inconvenience to those observing their religious practices,” he added.

Drawing a comparison with Indonesia, Madius said Malaysia could learn from its neighbor, where the Pancasila philosophy serves as a living reflection of spiritual values and social harmony.
“If we truly respect the Rukun Negara, every decision should embody the values it upholds.

Respecting all faiths’ worship days is part of our Belief in God,” Madius stressed.

(Source: Wilfred Madius Tangau’s Facebook page)