PUTRAJAYA has not done enough to promote Undi18 since it was gazetted last year, Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz said, adding that the government has a responsibility to ensure it reaches all youth.

Amira said this is crucial so that the youth of this generation will not be left out of their rights to vote.

She said it was important that the government and the Election Commission ensure that when a new bill is gazetted, it reaches the people.

“The government has the machinery to create awareness (on Undi18) through the mainstream media, to reach out to the younger generation.

“We believe the government has not done enough,” Amira told The Malaysian Insight.

Last year, the government implemented Undi18, as ordered by the court after Putrajaya delayed its implementation.

The lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 is now in force along with automatic voter registration.

On March 12, during the Johor polls, Undi18 increased the voter population by approximately 750,000.

This consisted of 175,000 voters who are between the ages of 18 and 20 and 575,000 voters who are 21 and above who had never registered before.

The voters, however, were automatically included into the electoral roll once Undi18 came into effect.

Of some 2.59 million eligible voters, only 1.43 million voters cast their ballots in the Johor polls – a turnout of 54.92%.

The Johor elections was the first time 18- to 20-year-olds were able to vote.

Amira said more awareness is needed because of the low voter turnout in Johor.

“During campaigning, I met a lot of youths and they didn’t even know that they could vote.

“They told me that they haven’t registered to vote, then I informed them that it is automatic voter registration.

“Many were excited, but they just didn’t know they could vote.”

Amira, who won the Puteri Wangsa state seat in Johor, said that aside from political parties, the community also needs to educate the youth.

“What is important to Muda is to create political awareness and educate the youth on their rights to vote,” she said.

“We have to work together with civil society groups and the communities. This is to educate them, not promote Muda to them.”

Include voting process in school syllabus

Amira also said the voting process should be formalised into the education system.

“We need to have a school syllabus on why they should vote, how to vote and how to identify the candidates who are contesting in their areas.

“All these should be included in their syllabus when they are 15 years’ old, so that when they reach 18, they will understand the process.”

She urged the Education Ministry to study this process to see how it can be implemented.

“Maybe not before the 15th general election but for the future. The ministry should address this issue and ensure it is executed well.”

Amira said that it is important that lawmakers during this parliamentary session encourage the government to do more to create voter awareness.

“It is pointless to have automatic voter registration when they (youth) don’t even know they are registered. We have to make sure everyone knows about it.” – March 23, 2022.