KUALA LUMPUR: Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Malaysians should exercise their right to vote, as a debate rages over an online campaign urging people to protest by spoiling their ballot papers.

“I think it’s important that you go out there and you take part in democracy and take part in the elections.

“Come out there and exercise your vote as you see fit,” he told reporters today.

Khairy was asked about the #UndiRosak hashtag on social media being promoted by those against Pakatan Harapan’s decision to appoint Dr Mahathir Mohamad as the coalition’s candidate for prime minister.

Mahathir had recently accused Umno of being behind the campaign, saying it would only benefit Barisan Nasional.