Hishammuddin doubts maturity of younger voters when faced with info on social media

Ravin Palanisamy Ravin Palanisamy Updated 6 years ago · Published on 2 Jul 2019 12:51PM · 4 Comments

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein has raised concerns of maturity of 18-year-olds if allowed to vote. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, July 2, 2019.

FORMER Umno minister Hishammuddin Hussein today said he is unsure if younger voters are discerning enough to deal with information on social media if allowed to vote at age 18.

He said the opposition is yet to be convinced that it should support a government proposal to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

The younger generation relied “too much” on information from social media, and this had to be managed well to ensure they would vote responsible, he said.

“I have no strong feelings (about the proposal). I’m just concerned (about) social media which influences our young in so many ways.

“I’m not saying that our children and our youth are not responsible but (social media platforms) are new tools that can influence them emotionally.

“If we can manage that, then they will be informed voters instead of taking in everything on social media,” the Sembrong MP told reporters in the Parliament lobby today.

The government is expected to table a bill in the current Dewan Rakyat sitting to lower the voting age.

The move will require a constitutional amendment and will need the support from two-thirds of the MPs.

Hishammuddin, who was a youth and sports minister, said the government must convince the opposition to lend its support to achieve a two-thirds majority.

“They must convince us. Once they have made the decision, there’s no turning back. If the repercussions to reduce the voting age backfires, then it’s too late.

“I hope whoever proposing it has studied it thoroughly.” – July 2, 2019.

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Comments

  • H2O : matured enough to learn corrupt practices , put their lives on the line as soldiers , cops & bomba. Unlike you - who cant even hack boarding school

    Posted 6 years ago by [email protected] · Reply

  • Whether young or old, in Malaysia people have been fooled and tricked by politicians. The only pain people share is they do not have the means to kick the butt of the crooks out of the political arena.

    Kali inilah!

    Posted 6 years ago by Tanahair Ku · Reply

  • Old enough to marry then old enough to vote. You cant have it both ways

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • The young voters don't believe the old dogs who have bitten them repeatedly. The old dogs threw bones at them for too long. Look at the youth today. What are their strengths and capabilities to compete? Two generations wasted

    Posted 6 years ago by Concerned Citizen · Reply