Badawi Urges All Malaysians to Vote in Saturday's Election: 'It Is Your Choice for Our Nation's Future'

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Malaysian Prime Minister calls for free and fair elections

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi today urged all
Malaysians to make their choice and their voice count by voting in
the country's general election on Saturday, March 8.

"These elections will be free and fair, and every voter has an
important role and an important choice," Prime Minister Badawi said
Thursday. "Every vote counts; and everyone's voice will be heard. The
future of our country is in your hands."

The Prime Minister said voters can determine the future security,
opportunity and prosperity of the country.

"The choice before the Malaysian people is between proven
leadership on the economy, stability and greater prosperity for all
or a leap in the dark with an untried, untested Opposition. The
Opposition is prepared to make any promise, give any commitment, tell
every audience what they think they want to hear, just to gain a few
more votes at this election," Mr. Badawi said.

"Their approach is not about leading Malaysia, but about
misleading Malaysia," the Prime Minister said. "I do not believe the
people of our country will be deceived by their empty promises."

Over the past two weeks, candidates have offered their views and
their promises to voters.

"The choice belongs to the voters, and Saturday will be decision
day for the people of Malaysia," Mr. Badawi said. "Now is the time to
make your choice for the future of your family and the future our
country."

The 12th General Election since Malaysia's independence in 1957
involves election contests for 222 seats in Parliament and 504 seats
in state governments, with a total of 1,588 candidates from more than
20 parties, including 103 independents.

The election is being overseen by the independent Malaysian
Election Commission. The Commission has introduced the use of
transparent ballot boxes for the first time in a Malaysian election.
Full electoral rolls have been made available in order to check and
verify the names of all registered voters to avoid electoral fraud.
The independent Election Commission has also vetted the electoral
roll to ensure no vote rigging can take place. Candidates appoint an
agent to act for them at every polling station. The agent's duties
include making sure the ballot boxes have not been tampered with and
the counting of votes is fair and accurate. When voting is over, the
ballots are counted by a presiding officer at the polling station or
a specified counting place with the agents present. The results are
then sent to a vote tallying center.

"Malaysia will have free and fair elections," Mr. Badawi said.
"Look at the campaigning taking place in every town and village in
all parts of the country. Malaysia is a robust multi-ethnic,
multi-party democracy and Saturday's elections will show that reality
to the world."

Web site: http://www.BN2008.org.my

ots Originaltext: BN2008 News
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Contact:
Chong Sin Woon of BN2008, +6019-382-8461,
campaignupdates@BN2008.org.my