Youths urged to exercise their democratic rights

Youths cannot change anything if they do not exercise their rights to vote, says an MP.

According to bare statistics, there are 4.39 million eligible Malaysians who have not registered as voters as at the end of last year.

“There is this attitude where they [youths] do not want to have anything to do with politics because politics is viewed as [sic] dirty, cruel, merciless, and something that ordinary people should keep far away,” said DAP Parliamentary Leader, Lim Kit Siang, last Saturday.

“[However], the aspect of one’s life is affected and influenced by politics – every day, whatever we do, whatever we say, are touched by politics,” added Lim, who is also the Former Parliamentary Opposition Leader.

On Monday, Khairy Jamaluddin, the Chief of UMNO Youth and BN Youth, said, “They [youths] need to understand that if they feel strongly about something, they [sic] can’t change anything without going through political processes and that’s why they have to care [to vote].”

“When you exercise your right to vote, please vote for politicians who appreciate principals of democracy and who have the right values,” said Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, the Chairperson of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections 2.0 (BERSIH 2.0), last Thursday.

Illustration by Melodie Yap

Click on URL below for video:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/15793929?autoplay=1

JRN 1102 Voting PSA from Melodie Yap on Vimeo.