MCA not ready to back voting for 18-year-olds yet

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 9 Jul 2019 12:40PM · 3 Comments

Ayer Hitam MP Dr Wee Ka Siong says Pakatan Harapan has plenty of time to work on lowering the voting age. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, July 9, 2019.

MCA’s sole lawmaker is still not ready to back the constitutional amendment to lower the minimum voting age despite the government’s promise to register voters automatically.

“MCA wants to let 18-year-olds vote. But at the same time, it’s strange that they can be voters but can’t be candidates.

“If we let them vote, we should allow them to contest,” Dr Wee Ka Siong told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

When pressed on the issue, the Ayer Hitam MP said there was still a lot of time before the next general election.

“Even if they failed today, they can still table it again,” said Wee.

Pakatan Harapan tabled a bill to amend Article 119 (1) (a) last Thursday to lower the minimum voting age to 18.

In return, the opposition consisting of Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and PAS said it would only back the amendment if the government agreed to have automatic voter registration and amend Article 47 of the constitution to lower the age of candidates to 18.

The government said it would allow for automatic registration of voters after the PH presidential council meeting yesterday.  – July 9, 2019.  

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Comments

  • The only MCA in parliament.... should he even be given media coverage?

    Posted 6 years ago by Mo Salleh · Reply

  • His one vote do not make him kingmaker. Look yourself in the mirror

    Posted 6 years ago by Adrian Tan · Reply

  • Hahahaha. What a clown. Belong to circus

    Posted 6 years ago by Kenneth Tan · Reply