
Video by Malaysiakini CJ Jimmy Leow
As reported in Malaysiakini
Pakatan Rakyat has launched an aggressive new voter registration campaign with an eye on capturing Putrajaya in the next general election, speculated to be held in the first quarter of 2011.
voter registration campaign 110707 line upAt the Penang chapter of the campaign held last night at the Caring Society Complex, Pantai Jerejak (PKR) assemblyperson Sim Tze TSin said Pakatan is aiming at registering the ambitious figure of 10,000 people within the May 1-9 period.
"We are in a political movement and we want to capture Putrajaya, therefore it is important we register as many voters as possible so that they can join us and bring changes to this country," Sim told a crowd of 80 participants at the event .
"We know that without new people joining us, this movement will not be successful," he said, adding that the Pakatan will operate registration counters in 22 places around Penang, mostly in shopping malls and supermarkets.
Penang has the lowest number of unregistered voters: 211,410 out of 926,122 and 1.3mil nationwide.
Unregistered voters must register soon to qualify as voters in 2011 as the approval process for new voters would take between four to six months.
Benefits of automatic voting
Also present at the event was Pulau Tikus (DAP) assemblyperson Koay Teng Hai and PAS coordinator for the Bayan Baru women's wing Hasnah Hashim.
NONEMeanwhile, Sim criticised the Election Commission for not allowing citizens to vote automatically upon reaching 21.
"I want to stress that we can save all the effort, money, time and resources, if only the EC announces that automatically those above 21 can vote," he said.
"It is ridiculous that the EC is not responsive to the needs of the people, the government has placed all this hindrance in front of the voters," he added.
Air Itam (DAP) assemblyperson Wong Hon Wai said that the party had been conducting new voter registration aggressively in the past.
Wong, who is Penang executive member for Town and Country Planning and Housing added that it was a public duty to assist the EC in carrying out this activity.
"It should be the EC's job to spend all their resources on this exercise," said Wong.
"(But) we need to do this as there is a misconception among young voters who think they can automatically vote when they are 21 or above, but this is not the case," he added.