PM URGES 3.7M TO REGISTER AS VOTERS

Country’s direction lies in their hands, says Najib

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has called on Malaysians to register as voters, saying that the country’s direction lies in their hands.

Najib, in his blog najibrazak.com, yesterday said there were more than 3.7 million citizens who were eligible to vote, but had yet to register.

“Voting is the responsibility of every Malaysian who has the right to determine his future.

“It is a process of democracy where power is given to the people to choose a leader who will represent them and a government that will drive Malaysia to become a developed nation.”

He said based on figures from the Election Commission (as of March 31), more than 3.7 million people aged 21 and above had yet to register as voters from 18 million eligible citizens.

“The statistic is an indicator that the public’s awareness of their rights and responsibilities is low. Therefore, I urge agencies involved to intensify efforts to educate and register these eligible voters.

“The percentage of voter turnout should be improved as compared with the 13th General Election, which had 84.84 per cent or 11.2 million people.

“There may be some who consider the registration to be tedious. However, the perception is wrong.

“The process will take only five minutes with your MyKad at a post office, Election Commission (EC) headquarters or state EC offices.”

He said Malaysians should not take things for granted by letting others make the decision for them.

“The decision you make will greatly impact your and your family’s future.

“Your voice counts in determining your future, your children’s future and the nation.”

In Parliament yesterday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said EC had received 1,454 voter registration objections between January and March.

She said this in a written reply to a question from Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan), who asked the prime minister to state the number of eligible voters based on age, race and state as of June.

Kasthuriraani also asked for the number of new voter registrations, and whether temporary MyKad holders were allowed to vote.

Azalina said temporary Malaysian identification card holders were not considered as Malaysian nationals.

“Therefore, temporary MyKad holders are not eligible to register as voters and do not have the right to vote in general or byelections.”