AN increased number of young voters puts more pressure on Pakatan Harapan, said Young Syefura Othman.

“It forces PH to work harder to fulfil the manifesto promises made to younger voters, such as increasing employment opportunities, higher wages, adequate housing and resolving PTPTN issues,” the Ketari assemblyman told a forum in Putrajaya today

“It’s like a trap for PH, where it has to work harder to ensure its promises are realised,” said Young.

She was responding to moderator Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar’s question on whether PH was lowering the voting age to fulfil a manifesto promise.

Young said 41.3% of the voters in GE14 were young voters (below 40) and the percentage is expected to rise to more than half in the next elections.

Parliament made history on Tuesday when every one of the 211 MPs present in Dewan Rakyat voted to amend Articles 119 and 47 of the federal constitution to enable 18-year-olds to vote and stand for election.

Parliament also amended the constitution to allow automatic voter registration.

Young was speaking in a forum entitled “Undi18: Trends and Responsibilities”.  Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah and Election Commission (EC) chairman Azhar Azizan Harun were also present.  

The forum was held in conjunction with the EC’s “Make a Change, Let’s Do It Together“ campaign which saw the launch of the MySPR Daftar portal for voter registration.

Shahar, meanwhile, said the government should also amend other laws such as the Peaceful Assembly Act to allow 18-year-olds to participate in assemblies.

“It would be better if the government also lower the minimum age in other laws so that 18-year-olds can participate in politics meaningfully,” said the Umno MP.

Young said the government had already amended the Universities and Colleges Act (UUCA) to allow politicians to attend events in colleges and universities.

“This is a good first step for younger Malaysians to take part in the democratic process. However, to make it even better, the school syllabus should be adjusted to educate students about the roles and responsibilities of the citizenry and lawmakers,” said the Pahang lawmaker. – July 18, 2019.