Lower voting age must come with permission for opposition to visit schools, says BN rep

Chan Kok Leong Chan Kok Leong Updated 6 years ago · Published on 16 Jul 2019 2:15PM · 4 Comments

Opposition Leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob says the government must allow opposition politicians entry into schools and campuses after lowering the voting age. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 16, 2019.

THE government must allow opposition politicians entry into schools and campuses after lowering the voting age, Opposition Leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob said.

“With the lowering of the minimum voting age, sixth formers will be allowed to vote. It would be unfair to us if we are not allowed in schools for functions,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today while debating an amendment bill to set the minimum age to vote and stand for election at 18.

The bill was tabled for a second reading today by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the House will vote on it this evening.

Under the former Barisan Nasional government, opposition politicians were barred from schools and universities.

Pakatan Harapan has since lifted the restriction, with Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik consenting to allow opposition politicians in schools, provided they do not campaign with party flags on the premises.

In November, Maszlee said opposition politicians were required to have seek the state education departments permission to step into school premises. He said elected state and federal representatives should also stick to visiting schools in their constitutions.

Despite all this, Ismail reiterated his support for bill to lower the voting age. 

Ismail, who is the Bera MP, also questioned the independence of the Election Commission as one of its newly appointed commissioners,  Zoe Randhawa is formerly of Bersih 2.0.

“After the elections, the government appointed some EC commissioners from Bersih 2.0 without going through the select committee. 

“Can the government guarantee EC’s independence?” asked the Umno vice-president, who was seated next to former prime minister Najib Razak.

The government’s bill seeks to amend Articles 119(1)(a) and 47 of the federal constitution.

Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof said 58 MPs are expected to debate the bill today. Voting will take place after Dr Mahathir delivers his winding-up speech at 6pm.

All eyes will be on the opposition to see whether it comes through on its word to support the bill. PH commands 139 votes and needs nine votes from the opposition to make constitutional amendments. – July 16, 2019.

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Comments

  • Why allow politicians to visit it from the government or opposition. They will corrupted by some unscrupulous politicians. Please ensure the stay out. This dumno is trying to come out excuses to stall the change.

    Posted 6 years ago by Wei Kuan Tan · Reply

  • Access to schools? The BN govt did not even allow the CM of Penang to visit schools. Even if the 18 years old law is passed, schools should still be out of bounds to politicians for campaigning, esp BN and PAS politicians who spread message of hate and lies. In schools,most students are below 18 years of age. So schools should be out of bounds for campaigning. Colleges and Universities should be OK. This Ismail Sabri is the biggest hypocrite: asking for what the BN govt denied the opposition.

    Posted 6 years ago by Mike Mok · Reply

  • In countries where 18 is already the norm, no political parties are allowed in. Schools and unis can allow extracurricular activities of forming school or university activist groups aligned to certain parties.

    Posted 6 years ago by Malaysia New hope · Reply

  • Ismail I really wish you had the same gusto in asking your BOSS of the appointment of Nik Faisal as 1MDB CEO

    Posted 6 years ago by Teruna Kelana · Reply