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Young Voters Registration: Youth Organisation must act   Media Statement by Raymond Chong (Petaling Jaya, Tuesday): DAPSY wishes to urge all youth organizations in the country to take progressive action in order to encourage their members who are eligible to register as voters, in order to assert their influence  in the country’s nation building policy and focus.  The young generation represents the future of the nation, and  the government policy of the day should take into consideration of the aspiration and hope of this age group. Unfortunately, according to the Election Commission, among the 1.7 million yet to be registered eligible voters in the country, more than 50% are from those within the age of 21 – 30.   It is precisely because young people are not included in the decision making process of public matters, that they are being marginalized even in matters involving their future and wellbeing. Such matters include the controversial national service proposal, the de-merit university admission system, the oppressive University and University Colleges Act, the non-existence of campus democracy in local universities and colleges, and the encroachment of politics of religion which is threatening the secular and plural basis of Malaysia constitution.   In order to reverse such unhealthy and dangerous trend, it is most pertinent that eligible young people register themselves as voters in order to make their voices heard by the power that be. Youth organization can play a vital role in encouraging mass registration by the youth. Further, it is time for the age of eligible voters to be lowered to 18 years old instead of the current 21 years old in order to broaden the participation of more young people in the fundamental stage of nation building process.   (10/6/2003) * Raymond Chong, DAPSY National Vice Chairman