SEPTEMBER is the last month to get registered as a voter for the 14th general election if it is held in March next year and disillusioned Malaysians, especially young adults, have no reason not to do so, said the Bersih 2.0 election-monitoring body.

Chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said even though issues like the rising cost of living and lack of job opportunities were their priorities, young adults should also make known their dissatisfaction by voting.

“We (too) are concerned about the issues they face…These are natural concerns among young adults. 

“We hope that they also think about bigger issues, like what is happening in this country.”

Excuses like not knowing or caring about current issues, or being disappointed with today’s politics and in-fighting within the opposition, were not reasons for the young to exclude themselves from voting, she added.

“We are born here and we have a role and responsibility to decide what we want this country to be,” the long-time activist told The Malaysian Insight.

“So, if they are frustrated – and yes, everyone is frustrated – ‘show’ that frustration in a positive manner. One way is to vote.

“That (voting) is a positive step. If they keep on complaining and don’t do anything, then nothing will change.”

An Institute Darul Ehsan study recently showed that most undecided voters were between the ages of 21 and 30.

Of the 4,486 respondents, half were undecided and of the other half, 22% said they made their choice after nominations, 9% a week before voting and 19% on polling day itself.

Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar commenting on the findings, said getting a good job and dealing with the rising cost of living were much more pressing issues for young adults.

Figures released by the Election Commission (EC) at the Dewan Rakyat last month also showed that there were 3.8 million people, mostly 21-year-olds, who had yet to register as voters as of March 31.

Voter registration campaign

Bersih embarked on a voter registration campaign in March, as the EC usually starts processing new registrations after the end of each quarter, and there was speculation at the time that the polls would be called in September.

It takes about six months for new registrations to be processed and gazetted. Malaysia does not have automatic voter registration, despite civil society’s repeated demands for it.

If the polls were to be held in March 2018, this month would be the last for people to register as voters, Maria said.

“This is among our efforts and contributions to ensure everyone participates in the election process.

“Even though the EC has put up more obstacles for young adults to register as voters, we encourage them to come forward.”

She said the campaign drew 5,000 eligible voters nationwide.

She said it was crucial for those eligible to vote to register, as each vote cast went towards determining the direction of the country and the implementation of policies.

Maria said this was evident in the 2008 and 2013 general elections.

“In 2008, after 51 years, voters denied Barisan Nasional a two-thirds majority. That is the power of the people.

“In 2013, we showed our power again when we denied BN another two-thirds majority and reduced its majority in Parliament.”

She said it was important to have a strong opposition in Parliament to ensure good policies were approved.

“A strong opposition serves as a system of checks and balances for the government. This is how the people can show their power – through their votes.

“That’s why Bersih embarked on the voter-registration campaign, and we hope many more people will go to the EC office, post office and UTC (urban transformation centre) to register.”

Maria said there would always be disagreement or disunity between parties and politicians, and it was Malaysians’ responsibility to let their views be made known through the ballot box.

“What is most important is that we need to see ourselves as voters and not shun the polls simply because of such internal struggles, as they will always happen.

“If we are disappointed with the government’s performance… we, as voters, have to come out to say we do not want this to happen.”

She said among the efforts made by Malaysians to voice their grouses was taking part in peaceful gatherings like the rallies Bersih organised.

“This is the strength and power we have, and we should not ever give that up.” – September 1, 2017.