Kota kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah's (UMS) convocation ceremony has been postponed from November 29 to November 30, aligning with the 17th Sabah state election schedule. Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, chairman of UMS' board of directors, announced the change in response to the Election Commission's (EC) announcement that the original convocation date coincides with polling day.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Abdul Rahman Dahlan explained that the decision to reschedule was made to prevent any hindrance for students and families traveling from regions such as Sandakan or Tawau to participate in the voting process. The announcement was made during the MARA Women's Empowerment Programme and Malaysia MADANI Statehood seminar attended by key figures including Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Abdul Rahman Dahlan emphasized the importance of allowing students and their families the opportunity to fulfill their civic duties without compromising their participation in the convocation. He acknowledged the logistical challenges faced by families who may have already made travel arrangements and stated that postponing the event by a day serves as a reasonable compromise.

The Election Commission has designated November 15 as nomination day, with early voting set for November 25, and the polling day scheduled for November 29.