PEKAN – Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah stressed today that he is a strong supporter of the Undi18 initiative (lowering the voting age to 18), saying that 18 years old was the “age of maturity”.
The Indera Mahkota MP also said that those who did not trust youth or support Undi18 were “outdated” and politically immature.
“We never trust our youth, but we want their support. We must have faith in them. I am definitely a strong supporter and I am very loud (on this). I have strong trust in youth.
“We say they are not ready, but we do nothing to educate them. Eighteen is the age of maturity under the law…(they) can drive, can enter into contracts, and will not be charged as juveniles if they commit crimes,” he said.
Saifuddin told reporters this after attending the Malaysia Prihatin Programme here, which was also attended by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia chairman Zakaria Abdul Hamid, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Pahang director Zahari Ismail, and state Information Department director Mohd Salmun Mustafa.
Saifuddin, who is the former president of the Malaysian Youth Council, said he had been championing the idea of educating young people to vote for a long time, including once presenting the idea of students being taught to select prefects through an election system, but many did not agree with it.
He hoped that Undi18 could be implemented in the coming general election as he was confident the Election Commission was prepared to handle it.
“I understand that there are many constraints, such as requiring it (Undi18) to be passed by state assemblies for amendments…but I am confident this can be overcome when they reconvene,” he said.
In another development, Saifuddin, who is also the Pahang Bersatu chairman, said the party had started work to face the coming general election, besides strengthening relations with PAS and Gerakan.
“Relations between Bersatu, PAS, and Gerakan at the grassroots level look to be very good and the first meeting on the formation of Pahang Perikatan Nasional, InsyaAllah, will be held on March 26 following the unofficial meeting held last week,” he said. – Bernama, March 11, 2021
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