THE Dewan Rakyat has begun debating the government’s bill to lower the voting age to 18, and by all accounts, Pakatan Harapan looks set to make its first constitutional amendment since taking over Putrajaya last year.

Fifty-eight MPs have been slotted by Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof to debate the bill before it is put to a vote tonight.

Unlike PH’s disastrous attempt in April to amend Article 1 of the federal constitution, to equalise the position of Sabah and Sarawak with that of the peninsula, this time around, representatives of opposition parties have spoken up in favour of the voting age bill.

Opposition leader Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Bera-BN), who is from Umno, affirmed the former ruling party’s support for the bill, as did PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan.

“We are fully supportive of the government’s efforts to amend Articles 119 and 47,” said Takiyuddin, who is also Kota Baru MP.

Amendments to Article 119 relate to the minimum age for voters, which will be lowered from 21 to 18, and automatic voter registration. Article 47, meanwhile, will reflect a change in the minimum age for election candidates, from 21 to 18.

Takiyuddin hailed the PH administration’s “legislative intent” to let as many Malaysians as possible pick the government of their choice.

“At the time of World War II, the minimum voting age in most countries was 21. But this has been steadily dropping, with some having brought it down to 16. But the average is 18,” he said during the debate.

He said the government should not stop at lowering the minimum voting age, and should introduce lesson plans in schools so that young Malaysians learn about their responsibilities and citizens and voters early on.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) whip and Petra Jaya MP Fadillah Yusof said Sarawak lawmakers are supportive of efforts to lower the voting age.

“While it’s good that the government has agreed to implement automatic voter registration, we hope that they will find a way to synchronise the databases of the National Registration Department, Prisons Department and police.”

He said the Election Commission must do this to “filter out” those who are ineligible to vote, referring to people of unsound mind, or those serving a jail sentence of more than 12 months at the time of an election.

Parti Bersatu Sabah president and Kota Marudu MP Maximus Ongkili said his party does not object to the amendments.

The bill is being debated after it was tabled for second reading by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

PH has 139 MPs and needs a further nine votes to amend the constitution. PAS and GPS have 18 lawmakers each.

The PH administration has promised many reform initiatives concerning corruption, transparency and the electoral process that require constitutional amendments. – July 16, 2019.