KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia may not see amendments made to the federal constitution to make it compulsory for all its citizens to vote in elections, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Wan Junaidi (Santubong-GPS) said he deliberated this matter with the Election Committee (EC) on many occasions, but the outcome had been fruitless due to implications that would arise.
“In the city, voting can be made compulsory. But in rural areas, where there is less communication, we will face obstacles.
“Although the aim of this is good, it will potentially be unhealthy for Malaysians in the practice of democracy.
“We will need to study this matter further in depth,” he said during the question-and-answer session in Parliament today.
He was responding to Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari’s question on whether voting will be made mandatory and if any actions will be taken against those who do not cast their votes during elections.
For the record, 22 countries have made voting compulsory, including neighbouring nations like Singapore and Thailand.
In 2021, Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan called for an amendment to be made to the federal constitution to make it compulsory for Malaysians to vote in elections, suggesting for violators to be fined. – The Vibes, July 18, 2022
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