‘TIME FOR CITIZENS TO CHOOSE THEIR GOVT’

The people should use their rights wisely, says PM

PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the election was a time for citizens to cast their ballots to choose their government. He said in a democratic system, everyone had certain rights under the Federal Constitution, which should be used wisely and correctly.

“We cannot campaign in a negative manner. In a democracy, everyone has certain rights (under the Constitution). This (the election) is the time to use those rights to choose the government.

“This is our responsibility as individuals, and we have a role in determining the government,” he told Malaysian media yesterday at the end of his two-day visit to India to attend the Asean-India Commemorative Summit.

He was referring to the #undirosak campaign, which has come under fire from many quarters, including both sides of the political divide, and the Election Commission (EC).

Its proponents urge people to cast spoilt votes if they favoured neither Pakatan Harapan nor Barisan Nasional in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

In Petaling Jaya, EC urged the public not to be swayed by those asking them to spoil their votes in GE14.

EC chairman Tan Sri Mohd Hashim Abdullah said people had the right to vote and choose who they wanted as the government.

“Those are suara nakal (mischievous voices) by some irresponsible quarters trying to poison people’s minds.

“Where were they before the election? When the polls are coming, they suddenly appear and start poisoning people’s minds.

“People have the right to choose who they want to vote for. This is a democratic country,” he said in an interview with TV9’s Nasi Lemak Kopi ‘O’ with the topic “Boleh Saya Bantu: Menjelang PRU 14” at Studio C, Sri Pentas, here.

The #undirosak (spoilt votes) campaign recently gained traction on social media.

Its proponents urge people to cast spoilt votes if they favoured neither Pakatan Harapan nor Barisan Nasional in GE14.

Hashim said EC’s preparations for GE14 were 90 per cent done.

He said 250,000 people would assist EC in the polls.

EC, he said, would make it compulsory for all party agents to be stationed at polling centres.

“It was disappointing to note that some parties did not send their agents to voting stations in the last general election.

“We want every political party to send its agents to where its candidate will be contesting. Some ‘popular’ and ‘big’ parties also did not send their respective agents”.

People have the right to choose who they want to vote for. This is a democratic country, TAN SRI MOHD HASHIM ABDULLAH Election Commission chairman