THE youth wing of Sarawak’s Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) has joined the chorus of criticism aimed at the Election Commission (EC) for deferring the automatic voter registration and lowering the voting age to 18 from 21, to September next year.

PBB youth said the delay “will leave out millions of eligible voters between the age of 18 to 20, as well as those aged 21 and above who are yet to be registered” and pushed to expedite Undi 18 for state election, widely expected in August when the state of emergency is lifted.

“The Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) state government welcomes the participation of youth in politics as well as in the democratic process.

“The interests and aspirations of the youth is of paramount importance to safeguard Sarawak’s future,” the party’s youth chief Gerald Jabu said in a joint statement that was also signed by five youth leaders and elected representatives: Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman (Tupong), Aidel Lariwoo (Sadong Jaya), Miro Simuh (Serembu), Allan Siden Gramong (Machan), and MP Lukanisman Awang Sauni (Sibuti).

They said the youth must be allowed to exercise their democratic rights in accordance with the federal constitution.

The group said the youths of today that “have grown up in a world surrounded with information” are matured, knowledgeable and well informed of the current political situation and its predicaments.

“They are the backbone of our future and their voices need to be heard.

“We need them to be involved in the democratic process, instil an interest in politics to prepare them to make critical decisions as future leaders,” they added.

The amendment to the federal constitution for automatic voter registration, lowering the voting age to 18 and to make 18 the minimum age for a Malaysian citizen to run for public office was passed unanimously by Parliament on July 16, 2019.

The Sarawak legislative assembly followed suit by amending Article 16 of the state constitution on November 12, 2020.