Jun 30, 2009

Register Yourself as a Voter Now!


I am very delighted to note the worry and concern shown by all of my blog readers on various political subjects, people, education, religion, sports, policies, systems, economic and projects in our state and country. But still the only way to show our satisfaction or dissatisfaction towards administration or government is through vote. So have you registered yourself and a voter?

No matter where we you Malaysia, if you or any members of your family, friends, and colleagues have yet to register as a voter, go or bring them to the nearest post office and just bring along your IC and register there now, you no need to worry on how to fill the form, as they will do for you.

It’s because, how much we speak and shout, if you or they are not registered as a voter then it’s useless because you and they are powerless to bring the regime change. The 13th General Elections will be the most important election in the nation’s history. If you are not satisfied with the current government, then you should register yourself as a voter so that your voice is heard. If you are happy with the current government, then you should also register to ensure that they maintain as the current government in your area.

Every vote is important. You should be glad that you are given this right. There are too many countries that do not practice this and their citizens are hoping that they have the right to vote. Be grateful with what you have.

I hope you are not in the 4 million voters who have yet to participate in the democratic process that we enjoying now. Register yourself as a rightful citizen now, make sure your vote count.

5 comments:

Ibrahim said...

Note that this is very different from “Vote, and then shut up”, which is the view taken by most Asian autocracies. Ongoing criticism, debate and dissent are vital. But if, after being offered the chance to choose, we decline to get involved in the beginning of the political cycle – the election – there’s little point in wandering in later with our grouses.

If you’re not eligible to vote, whether you’re too young or a Malaysian abroad, you still have the right to comment, in my book, because you are subject to policies that you couldn’t possibly have influenced. But once you gain (or regain) the right to vote, you are morally obliged to take a stand and cast your ballot.

Look around Southeast Asia, and you see Communist states, military dictatorships, recovering dictatorships, fractious democracies, fragile democracies, “guided” democracies? and then there’s us.

We’re one of the few places where people don’t have to worry about tanks rumbling through the streets if they vote in the wrong party. In the context of Southeast Asia, our democratic freedoms, deeply flawed though they may be, are a precious commodity, and shouldn’t be taken for granted. If we aren’t vigilant in the exercise of our rights, those few freedoms might evaporate.

In short: Use your vote, or lose your vote.

Ramesh (Facebook) said...

And yet, nearly four million Malaysians who are eligible to register as voters are not registered.

This is a very serious situation.

I am very disappointed to hear about this.

Mind you, in this country, voting is voluntary. The government has two alternatives: either make registration compulsory, or keep the current voluntary system.

The five million is too big a figure for us to ignore.

I hope next time around, there would be definite plans, whether it is a legal or procedural approach, in getting people to vote.

In this election, I’mconcer ned that even those who have registered to vote seem doubtful whether they would go out to vote.

I’m coming across friends and relatives who are saying, “I’m not going out to vote this time”.

haris said...

Don’t you worry that if so many people are educated on the importance of voting, then, politically speaking, the “wrong” people will come out to vote? Being a democrat, you must risk it. And I am a democrat.

After I’ve persuaded you to come out and you come out but you don’t vote for a particular candidate, well, that’s your right, and I respect it. That’s what democracy’s all about.

Anonymous said...

An oft stated unfair criticism of the Malaysian electoral system is that it “disenfranchises” urban dwellers in favor of rural ones. The “one man one vote” mantra should be viewed as a statement of an ideal and not be read literally.

With greater urbanization, an urban constituency of 100,000 would cover only a few square miles and be readily served by one Member of Parliament,
while a similar sized rural constituency would cover hundreds of square miles, taxing the physical ability of its lone political representative

Satish said...

I definitely will...when I hit 21 ;)

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