KUALA LUMPUR – The Selangor assembly unanimously passed an amendment to the state constitution allowing 18-year-olds to vote and contest in future elections, making it the eighth state to do so.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari made the announcement on Twitter after the issue was voted in by state representatives earlier this afternoon.
“Alhamdullillah, the Selangor assembly has unanimously approved the enactment of the Selangor Government State Constitution (Amendment) 2021, allowing 18-year-old Selangor citizens to vote and contest in future elections,” said Amirudin (Sg Tua-PKR).
Alhamdulillah Dewan Negeri Selangor petang ini telah meluluskan secara sebulat suara Enakmen Undang-undang Tubuh Kerajaan Selangor (Pindaan) 2021 yang membolehkan rakyat Selangor berusia 18 tahun mengundi dan bertanding dalam pilihan raya akan datang.
— Amirudin Shari (@AmirudinShari) December 6, 2021
Earlier in the House, he tabled the motion, saying to representatives that the state administration had obtained advice from its legal adviser to amend Article 63 of the Selangor constitution.
He added that the law will grant greater awareness and exposure to youth in Selangor of the democratic process.
“This amendment requires all of your support. The state government has received the views from its legal adviser, who said that the amendment to Article 63 of the state constitution must be raised, tabled, and approved by the state assembly.
“The state government has looked at the federal-level amendments and found that the legislation is organised and can give our youth exposure and education on the nation’s democratic process.
“As we are confident of the law, I request that this bill to amend Article 63 be supported and approved,” said Amirudin in the assembly.
This comes after Penang passed a similar motion on September 1 allowing 18-year-olds registered in the state to contest seats.
It changed the eligibility age of candidates for state seats from 21 to 18 years old.
Penang was then the seventh state to approve the age of eligibility for state seat candidates from 21 to 18, after Sabah, Perlis, Terengganu, Sarawak, Kelantan and Perak. – The Vibes, December 6, 2021
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