The government has rejected the automatic voter registration system as suggested by the Election Commission as Malaysians cannot be forced to vote, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz. Nazri told the Dewan Rakyat today that Malaysia respects freedom of choice of its citizen in reply to MP Fong Poh Kuan's (DAP-Batu Gajah) question on whether the government had the political will to implement the system.
“We can't force (people to vote) in elections although forcing people is the way of the opposition,” said Nazri, taking a swipe at the Pakatan Rakyat MPs. “(But) I don't like to force people. Many of such cases (of coercion) has happened to that side (opposition),” said Nazri. He argued that the decision to vote or to abstain should be left to eligible Malaysians. Prior to that, Nazri said that the the government would not be lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, although citizens who are 18 years and above can join political parties. “Although there are people who say if one is mature enough to get married, he or she should be old enough to vote, this is akin to opening the Pandora's box,” said the Padang Renggas BN MP. Nazri said this in response to MP Md Sirat Abu (BN-Bukit Katil), who asked whether the government would set the same age limit for joining political parties and for voting in elections. Six nailed by MCMC Meanwhile, Information, Communication and Cultural Minister Rais Yatim revealed today that there were six prosecutions relating to Internet offences as of Feb 23. Maran BN MP Ismail Abd Muttalib asked the ministry to state the actions taken by the government on bloggers who touched on issues which could jeopardise unity and harmony in the country. According to Rais, up to Feb 23 this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had received 101 complaints on websites and blogs. Fifty-eight of the complaints were on pornography and 43 complaints were on threats and bad intent, including websites that insult the sultans. “A total of 15 cases are being investigated under Section 211 and 233of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998,” said Rais. There are also 63 cases that are being investigated under various other acts. courtesy of Malaysiakini
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