KUCHING: The implementation of Undi18 as well as the Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) shouldn’t be rushed, said Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.
He said the process should be fine-tuned by the Election Commission (EC) to sort out the current inconsistencies in the electoral roll before taking effect.
“Back then we only had to bring our MyKad to register as a voter. Now everything is automatic, however there are people who may not want to vote in their current registered address.
“They may want to vote at the place of origin if they are from a rural area, and had migrated to town for work purposes.
“To refine this, it will take time. That is also the reason why there is an expected substantial increase in voters in urban areas while there will be little increase in rural areas. This is because the youths are working in town. So, it has to be fine-tuned,” he said.
He said this when met by reporters after a visit to a project site in Asajaya on Thursday (Oct 21).
Abdul Karim who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) vice-president said accusations from the opposition camp that the state government was worried that Undi18 might change the state election outcome were baseless.
“For me, Undi18 will be there, if not in time for the upcoming state election, it will be ready for the 15th general election (GE15).
“No, we are not scared. There is no guarantee that all of the Undi18 voters will side with them (the opposition) or with us. It is for every party to woo and engage with the youths.
“God willing, I am confident that the youths will be with us, with Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS),” he said.
Asked on his prediction for the state election, Abdul Karim predicted that the state ruling coalition would win big.
To a separate question, he said there was no mandate to limit voting to only those who have been vaccinated for Covid-19.
“If you hear those who say that you must be jabbed before you can vote, that is untrue and is merely a rumour,” he said.
