Just as Barisan Nasional still asks itself how it is to “tackle” 7 million youth for the next General Election especially the 62% who “sit on the fence”, Malaysiakini reports that LoyarBurok has already hatched a voter education campaign to assist the rakyat in making better informed choices. LoyarBurokker Edmund Bon spoke about the plan at a forum recently and urged members of civil society (as well as prospective funders) to come forward to support the campaign.
CHRISTINE CHAN
27 July 2010
Law community to educate voters for next GE
Edmund Bon speaking about LoyarBurok's voter education campaign
The civil society should start preparing and educating the rakyat for the next general election so that they can make informed choices, said law blog Loyarburok spokesperson Edmund Bon.
Speaking at the Media Legal Defence Training programme last week, Bon said that the civil society should work together to educate voters to base their choice on core community and national issues rather than voting purely for party personalities or ad hoc election promises.
“Voters should be discussing the issues that affect them and their livelihood, rather than electing some personalities or party through ‘bribery’,” he told Malaysiakini.
Bon explained that loyarburok.com – a blog by lawyers and law students – is planning to establish a movement to further educate voters on how to vote.
“Now political parties are just trying to get voters registered, but they do not educate them on the next step. For example, how to vote and the questions and issues that they should raise with the candidates,” he added.
For example, he said, we should ask the candidates on their plans to eradicate corruption.
“Most importantly we need to teach them how to read the national budget, as the people should understand how our money was spent,” he said.
Targeting the young
Bon (left) said that the most effective tool for this project would be through the new media.
They are planning to release 24 short videos, DVDs and a fanzine for a whole year hoping that it will reach at least 50 percent of the target group aged 16 to 30 years old.
“The campaign will be run by lawyers, law students and activists online and on the street,” he said, adding that they are still looking for prospective funders to channel half a million ringgit to run the campaign.
All members of the civil society should come forward and join us in this campaign, he urged.
He stressed that this campaign is not politically driven, and should not have any political agenda or influence, saying that it is purely to educate voters.
“I think it’s high time that Malaysian voters become more mature and issues-driven when casting their next vote.”
“We want to push the Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat politicians further, as they are not doing enough for the people,” he said.
LB: Malaysiakini’s Chinese section reported a similar story on 23 July 2010 here. Would you be interested in this idea of our time, something which we have not seen happen before? Please render your suggestions on the campaign/movement in our comments section below including the preferred name of the initiative and how best the community should implement the same. Let’s rock!
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