With campaign posters up all over the neighbourhoods and rallies picking up in frequency, it really sinks in that elections are just around the corner.
And many Malaysians either have or are looking into travelling back home to exercise their rights as Malaysians. For some of us, it’s just a short jaunt to the nearest Sekolah Kebangsaan, but for many Malaysians, this will be a long “balik kampung” trip.
For those whose plans aren’t set in stone yet, here is a list of companies that are stepping up to help Malaysians save a few bucks in the process of exercising their rights.
These are all the options still available to travellers at the time of writing.
Travel
1. Grab
Grab is letting users redeem RM5 off for one ride for only 250 Grab points, instead of the usual 650.
This offer will be valid on May 9, and is valid for all polling stations wherever Grab is operational—this now includes Lahad Datu and Sarikei.
“One of the things that matters most to us in Grab is the voice of our Grabbers,” said Sean Goh, the Malaysian country head of Grab.
“Their feedback and opinions matter to us and we take great efforts to make everyone feel valued, appreciated, assured that their voice matters in shaping a company we can all be proud to be a part of.”
2. AirAsia
According to an announcement made by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, AirAsia will be putting any unsold flight seats on low fares for GE14. Voters flying to West Malaysia on May 8 and May 9 can expect flights on AirAsia without public holiday surges—RM99.
Meanwhile, flights to Sabah and Sarawak will be kept at RM199 and RM120 respectively, which are generally its non-public holiday prices.
AirAsia has also prepared more planes to fly voters on the relevant days from May 7 to May 10.
3. Redbus
For those looking to take the bus home, RedBus is offering discounts for their rides home.
Globally, Redbus has brought together over 2,000 bus operators covering 100,000 routes, and simplifies the booking process through a simple to use bus app, including being able to see a bus layout and ability to book seats.
First-time users can redeem 25% cashback into their Redbus wallets using the code MYVOTE, while existing users can redeem 10% cashback with MYVOTE10 while booking on their website or app..
4. Easybook
For bookings up until May 12 and travels between May 5 to May 12, Easybook is offering 20% off for bus routes within Malaysia and Singapore
Redemptions can be made using the promo code EBGE14.
5. Tune Hotels + Fave
Available in: Kuala Lumpur, PWTC, Kota Kinabalu, George Town, Danga Bay, Kuching, Kota Bahru, Kulim, KLIA2, Taiping, Cyberjaya, KLIA Aereopolis.
To redeem up to 30% discounts, Malaysians can visit the Fave website to purchase the deal in any of Tune’s hotels in the above-listed locations. According to Fave, the flat rate will be applicable from May 1 to May 9 for stays until May 13, 2018.
Fave will be the exclusive platform from where users can redeem these discounts.
“With the upcoming election, we understand that cost is a key concern for Malaysians going back to their hometown to vote and knowing that, we specifically partnered with Tune Hotels as they have a strong presence across the country and they also share the same values with us in helping Malaysians vote with a peace of mind,” said Yeoh Chen Chow, co-founder of Fave.
Bookings can be made on Fave’s website.
6. Let’s Go Holiday
Available in: across Malaysia
With quite a wide variety of homestay and hotels available on its platform, Let’s Go Holiday is offering RM100 of any booking on its website for check-in periods between May 8 to May 10.
Bookings can be made here using the promo code BALIKUNDI.
6. Hotel Rosa
Available in: Melaka
This hotel in Melaka is doing one better and offering free stays for voters who are returning to Melaka for GE14, in hopes of encouraging more Malaysians to actually come home and vote.
The hotel set aside 60 rooms available for free, able to accommodate approximately 130 people with a check-in on May 8, and check out on May 9.
As of 25th of April, the available rooms were already 50% full, and during our cursory search of the website, they have not yet indicated that the rooms are at 100% capacity.
As long as the voter is able to provide an identity card with a Melaka address, is a registered voter and able to provide proof that they’re working outside of Melaka, then the room is open for their use.
“We feel that it will be difficult for those working outside the state, especially those in Singapore, Johor and other cities, to make a day trip just to vote.
The hotel considers this as part of their CSR.
Interested parties can contact Jiha via WhatsApp at +60122721026, to book a spot.
7. Hotel Sfera
Available in: Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Penang, Johor, Kuantan, Kelantan
Based on the map as listed above, Hotel Sfera is offering 40% off accommodations especially for those returning to vote on the 8th and 9th of May. It is open for all Hotel Sentral Group of Hotels & Resort.
Tenants must show proof that their voting area is within the same state, and must present their identity card upon check-in.
Discounts can be redeemed from their website.
8. Hotel Nusajaya
Available in: Johor
For GE14, Hotel Nusajaya in Johor Bahru has some rooms on discount for stays between May 8 to May 13 2018.
On this promotion, you get a Deluxe King Room for 2 pax and breakfast at RM160 nett/night.
For bookings, potential customers can call 07-5098866 or email reservation@millesime-hotel.com or dos@millesime-hotel.com.
9. Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort
Areas available in: Desaru & Bandar Penawar, Johor
For those staying in Johor between May 8 and May 9, the resort is offering a 2 day 1 night stay in their standard twin room for RM260 nett.
10. M Boutique Hotel & M Roof Hotel & Residences
Available in: Ipoh
For stays between May 8 and May 9, any hotels under this brand is offering RM14 nett for rooms in Ipoh with the promo code GE14.
Redemptions can only be made on their website.
Miscellaneous Travel Expenses
11. Lim Tayar
Available in: TTDI, Old Klang Road, Bangsar, Hartamas, Taman Melawati, Dataran Wangsa, Kepong, Gombak, Jalan Ipoh, Pandan Indah, Hulu Kelang, Subang Jaya, Shah Alam, SS2, Taman SEA, Bandar Baru Selayang, Ampang Jaya, Seremban 2
In the interest of participating in the #PulangMengundi movement, Lim Tayar will be offering free car health checks on May 7 and May 8 from 9am–6pm at all of their outlets (as listed above).
Find out where their outlets are at this link.
Editor’s Note: This section has been updated with more locations as supplied by Lim Tayar.
12. Etiqa
Etiqa is offering a full refund of travel insurance policies for those who are cancelling their travel plans for elections.
Those departing from Malaysia can also obtain an additional 14% discount under the promo code GE14, valid until May 13, and get up to 58% off any single-trip ePROTECT travel plan.
Cancellations can be done by contacting the Etiqa Customer Care Line (+65 6887 8777), or emailing customer.service@etiqa.com.sg by May 5, 2018.
13. JomParking
For those who may need to park in paid areas, JomParking is offering 100 tokens to each newly registered user until May 10. This means that users can get either free or discounted parking in areas that JomParking is active in.
JomParking and the offer can be downloaded and redeemed here.
Feature Image Credit: Screenshot from a Shutterstock video.