Nazri: Let eligible Malaysians vote

(The Star) – All eligible Malaysians should be allowed to vote whether they are in the country or overseas, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said.

“As long as they (Malaysians) comply with the Federal Constitution’s requirements, are at least 21 years old and have registered as voters, they should be allowed to exercise their right to vote,” Nazri said.

He added that organising such a vote during an election should not be too difficult.

“The voting process can be conducted at Malaysian embassies.”

He was commenting on the case of six Malaysians in Britain who were granted leave for a judicial review by the High Court on Monday to compel the Election Commission (EC) to register them as absent voters in the next general election.

The six are Dr Teo Hoon Seong, electrical engineer V. Vinesh, entrepreneur Paramjeet Singh, Dr Yolanda Sydney Augustin, translator Sim Tze Wei and software architect Leong See See.

They are seeking a declaration that, as Malaysians staying abroad, they are entitled to be registered as absent voters and directed the EC, named as the sole respondent, to register them.

On Monday, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Electoral Reforms (PSC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said it would be following the developments closely.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Assoc Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said Malaysians should come back to vote if they truly wanted to participate as citizens instead of asking to be registered as absent voters.

“They have to have first-hand knowledge and information on the candidate and his background instead of merely depending on the media for information,” he added.