Govt should introduce automatic voter registration - Ramon Navaratnam

The Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) Centre for Public Policy Studies Chairman Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam said many Malaysians feel that it is a hassle to register as voters as there are not as many registration offices as necessary to make it more convenient for the voter registrant .

"The registration officers are not as warm and encouraging, as they should be. The warm and good sense of service is often lacking," he said in a statement, Wednesday.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday urged more than 3.7 million Malaysians who have yet to register as voters to immediately do so because the future of the country lies in their hands.

Navaratnam also called for more funds for the Election Commission to carry out its duty to register more voters and reduce this staggering 3.7 million unregistered voters.

Besides, he also suggested for compulsory voting as the voting is the responsibility of every Malaysians.

"These proposals for electoral changes will surely enhance the standards of the election process and its efficiency. These easy electoral changes will also raise the voter turnout in the 14th general election to a much higher percentage than in the last election," he said.