KUALA LUMPUR – The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has objected to an application for leave by 18 Malaysian youth to challenge the government’s move to delay the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration.
The youth, on behalf of the Undi18 movement, filed a judicial review application and named Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the government and the Election Commission as respondents.
Senior federal counsel Shamsul Bolhassan, representing the AGC, told reporters that they filed a preliminary objection today on the grounds that the application brought by the 18 youth is frivolous, vexatious and premature at this stage, as no action has been taken in relation to the matter.
Azizan Md Arshad, also a senior federal counsel, said the relevant laws and regulations must be amended before automatic voter registration can be enforced.
“This is because with the constitutional amendment, there is no longer any application as automatic voter registration kicks in. It is the argument of the applicants that the enforcement and implementation of Sections 3(a) and 3(b) of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 can be done separately.
“However, we will submit that the enforcement and implementation in relation to the constitutional amendment cannot be done in isolation. It has to be done together. The enforcement and application of automatic voter registration is the reverse effect of the application for registration by the qualified person.”
He said the court fixed May 6 to hear the objections raised by the AGC.
The youth’s counsel, Datuk S. Ambiga, said today was fixed to hear her clients’ leave application for a judicial review before high court judge Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid.
However, she said, they have received the AGC’s submissions objecting to the judicial review bid, and need time to respond to the matter.
“So, the court adjourned the hearing today, and fixed May 6 to hear the AGC’s objections and the leave application.”
On April 2, the youth filed a legal action seeking several court orders arising from the respondents’ delay in implementing the lowered voting age and automatic voter registration.
They are seeking a declaration that the government’s action to delay the implementation of the lowered voting age, from 21 to 18, is irrational, illegal, disproportionate and a form of voter suppression.
The applicants want a declaration that those aged 18 to 20 have a legitimate expectation that they have the right to vote on or before July.
The youth, aged between 18 and 20, are also seeking a declaration that the respondents’ decision to delay the enforcement of Section 3(a) is a form of voter suppression against those aged 18 to 20 years old. – Bernama, April 19, 2021
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