Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman. (Photo by Luqman Hakim Zubir)

The Malaysian Cabinet has agreed to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. Youth & Sports Minister Syed Saddiq said at a post-Cabinet press conference last week that several amendments will have to be made to the Malaysian Federal Constitution for the move to take effect. This will require Pakatan Harapan to reach across the aisle to the opposition party in order to secure a two thirds majority in the lower house of parliament.

The Youth & Sport Minister said that he is working on setting up a youth caucus with the young MPs to gather input from every party on the voting age as well as other issues involving the youth.

“We need their support. The voting age of 18 has been long-awaited by young Malaysians. Although we have different political views, I am sure we can be united in youth empowerment,” said Mr Saddiq.

How soon until the proposed amendment to the Constitution is tabled remains a mystery. But the Minister assured the public of his confidence that voting age will be lowered in time for the nation’s 15the general election due in 2023.

Earlier this year, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohammad voiced his support for lowering the voting age to 18, saying that the high number of young voters in the last election shows that the country is ready. Lowering the voting age to 18 was also part of the Pakatan Harapan manifesto in the last election.

Once the amendments are passed, Malaysia will join the ranks of almost all other Southeast Asian countries that have 18 as the minimum voting age. The voting age in Timor-Leste and Indonesia are 17 while in Singapore it still remains at 21.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

Thousands evacuated as flash floods precede Malaysia’s election

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Thousands of people across Malaysia were evacuated into…

Malaysian father camps outside hospital to be close with his son who was diagnosed with brain tumour

IPOH, MALAYSIA – While some might camp at the beach for a…

Langkawi’s young brothers drove off parent’s car on joyride to toy shop

In Langkawi, Malaysia, a six-year-old boy took his parents’ car for a joyride with his three-year-old sibling. They crashed into a lamp post after driving 2.5 km while attempting to buy a toy car. The children were unharmed, but the family’s car was damaged. Videos of the incident circulated on social media, shocking viewers who discovered the young boys behind the wheel. Police are investigating under traffic and child protection laws.

Malaysian palm oil giant accused of mistreating workers

Migrant workers employed by a Malaysian palm oil giant have faced mistreatment…