Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Ahmad Maslan has said yesterday that as the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by elections will not be able to change the government, there is no need for Chinese voters to return home to vote.
His call is most shocking and his reason is illogical. His call also reflects his ultra kiasu attitude.
Going by his logic, he should call on all BN supporters not to vote in the twin by elections on June 18, as BN will continue to be the government even if it loses the two parliamentary seats.
I am quite perplexed that as a deputy Minister, Ahamd does not seem to understand the meaning of democracy.
Election is an important part of a democratic system and all political parties should play their role on registering citizens as voters as well as encouraged to exercise their rights to vote during elections.
In other countrites, there are already in place automatic registration of citizens as voters when they reach the qualified age and voting is compulsory. Yet in Malaysia, we have a deputy minister who has asked the voters not to return home to vote.
A by election can be used by voters as a mid term review of the government’s performance as well as to send important political messages to the contesting parties.
In the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by elections, voters can use their votes to express their feelings and stand on 1 MDB scandal and the implementation of GST.
Parti Amanah’s candidates’ win in the by elections will also send shockwaves to Umno and Pas.
Umno’s failure to retain the two seats will likely mean the forced retirement of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib.
PAS’s big defeats in the two by elections will mean more of its members will quit the party.
Parti Amanah candidates’ victories will definitely strengthen the political momentum required for Pakatan Harapan’s “Road to Putrajaya” in the next general election.
Admittedly, it will not be easy for Parti Amanah candidates to win the by elections due to the multi cornered fights, however, if the voters can see the significance of the by elections, there is chance that Parti Amanah candidates can triumph on June 18.