Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah has described the cash prize offered by a NGO to attract youths to register as voters as a reflection of the “pathetic” state of affairs in the nation.

"We really want to encourage voters to register on their own and not having to be paid or enter a competition.

"That (cash incentive) is really quite pathetic," Maria told a press conference in Petaling Jaya.

She was responding to PKR-linked NGO Invoke's online competition offering weekly cash prizes to encourage some four million youths to register themselves as voters.

Commenting further, Maria said Bersih also regrets the fact that the EC has removed the function of an assistant registrar officer from some political parties and NGOs.

"This means (the role to register voters) is so centralised with the EC and yet, at the same time, it is not doing enough.

"it is very unfortunate that we have an EC that doesn't do its work so well because it is very important for everyone to go and register, especially with the redelineation being so badly violated," Maria said.

However, Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) communications director Khalid Samad (photo) supported the initiative, saying such a move as necessary to attract the youths to register.

“The issue of youth voter registration is a challenge that must be faced. Perhaps this is because of the convoluted political climate, which has led to many losing interest.

“This is a creative effort which should not be questioned,” Khalid told reporters in Shah Alam.

PAS Pokok Sena MP Mahfuz Omar sees the move as a new trend to encourage competition and a good move to offer an incentive for voters to register.

But Mahfuz also cautioned that the end goal should also go beyond mere voter registration.

Likening the competition to participation in the Olympics, Mahfuz said new voters should be taught to understand their responsibilities as citizens, instead of just vying for a cash incentive.

Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamarudin also said Invoke should be allowed to continue with the competition, so long as no laws are broken in the process.

"And we know that Umno also does the same thing (offering cash incentive), but the only difference is that Umno does not declare it.

"Rafizi declared it and now it looks awkward for him when people started questioning," Zuraida said when asked for comments that the move could be seen as unethical.

The PKR Wanita chief also added that any such move should be carried out to achieve the most benefit, as it involves a cash investment from Rafizi himself.

Rafizi said yesterday that most unregistered voters, aged 40 and under, are "Pakatan Harapan and opposition-leaning".

He also pledged RM300,000 from his personal savings to assist Invoke in the voter registration exercise.