KUALA LUMPUR – Many Umno leaders have called on Putrajaya to keep its word and implement Undi18, which sees the minimum voting aged lowered from 21 to 18, and coupled with automatic voter registration.
Information chief Shahril Hamdan, seen as a rising figure in the party, told reporters on the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly 2020 here today that Parliament has already approved the amendment bill, which was supposed to take effect in July.
“I don’t agree with (the implementation of) Undi18 being postponed because it has already been agreed to in Parliament. Anyone who disagrees, it’s their choice. But, Parliament has made its decision, and it must be respected. It must be implemented as soon as possible.”
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan shared Shahril’s view, but noted that the Election Commission is delaying the implementation as preparations are incomplete due to the Covid-19 crisis.
“For me, Parliament has approved it, and any promises made to the youth, we must follow through on. Unless administratively, they are not ready, so I don’t know. Maybe that’s why the EC is delaying it, because they are not ready.”
EC chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh this week announced that Undi18 will be postponed to after September 1 next year, triggering a slew of criticism and attacks against the Perikatan Nasional administration led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Many accused the Bersatu president of fearing elections where 18-year-olds are empowered to vote, as his popularity among the younger generation is said to be diminishing as a result of the country’s weak economic performance stemming from the pandemic and the various movement curbs implemented to curb the coronavirus.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican said it is awkward when voices from the government itself are speaking up on the matter.
He stressed that many other countries have already implemented a lowered voting age.
The youth and sports minister said 211 MPs made their agreement to the amendments known in the Dewan Rakyat.
“So, any views claiming that youth are not mature enough and so on are outdated and don’t make sense. We’ve debated this. So, I hope there will be no constraints when it comes to implementing this.
“We must also look at it from another perspective, that 18-year-olds are eligible to vote.
“Legally, they are adults. At this age, they are allowed to sign contracts. There is already trust. They can join a uniformed body, such as police. But now, when it comes to implementing Undi18, suddenly, they are not allowed (to vote).”
However, Perlis Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim told reporters that he supports both sides in the issue.
Noting that there are pros and cons in arguments backing the delayed implementation and those opposed to it, the Arau lawmaker appears to be playing it safe, saying he will adhere to the PN government’s decision.
“I surrender to the government on the Undi18 issue, and will see whether it can be implemented or if it should be delayed. If the government says we continue (with the July implementation), I will support it, but if they say it must be postponed, then I support that, too, because there are pros to both decisions.
“So, if you ask me now, my answer is that I will follow the government’s decision, because it will be the best decision. I will be obedient to the government, and I believe that 18-year-olds will also support us.” – The Vibes, March 27, 2021
