YOUNG voters who will vote for the first time in the next general election should know that this is their country and it doesn’t belong to any single person, said academic and columnist Tajuddin Rasdi. 

The adviser to new civil society group, Malaysian Action for Justice and Unity Foundation (Maju), said that the country does not belong to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad,  PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, PAS or Umno. 

“Those 18-year olds who are going to vote must know that this their country. Voters are the owners of the country and masters of their own destiny.

“Their destiny is their own and it should not be narrated by some people. You (the youths) are in charge of your own destiny,” he said tonight at the newly-founded Maju’s first public forum “Be Empowered to Save Malaysia”. 

In July, Parliament voted to lower the voting age for Malaysians from 21 to 18. 

With the passing of the bill, the 15th general election will see 18-year-olds given the vote, and are expected to be automatically registered to vote when they become of age.

Tajuddin also said youths should be active and take an interest in the country’s growth.

“They must be active and not just vote or not vote and then complain about issues.

“It is our country, so it’s our responsibility. Don’t blame former prime minister Najib Razak or Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi or anyone else but ourselves. That’s the way to progress.”

All Malaysians should also share their heritage and values, he added.

“We are all in this together. Through thick and thin. The direction that we must forge ahead is to be together and to help each other. Don’t let some people break us apart.” – November 13, 2019.