YESTERDAY (Jan 7), the Johor state government passed an amendment to the state’s constitution. The amendment will see the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Johor 1895 (Amendment) Enactment 2021 allowing 18-year-olds registered in the state to contest state seats as early as the 15th General Election (15GE).
I take this opportunity to thank our Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad and members of the Johor State Legislative Assembly who agreed to approve the state constitutional amendment by lowering the voting and contesting age from 21 to 18 years old.
As a member of the Malaysian Youth Parliament representing the state of Johor, I am confident that this amendment will increase the awareness and involvement of young people in the political realm, especially in Johor.
This is because Malaysia has 14.6 million youths aged between 15-39 years old, according to the Department of National Statistics 2018. Based on these statistics and counting on other factors, the involvement of youths as “frontliners” in the political arena will help drive the future of our country in a more prosperous direction.
I also see this amendment as a golden opportunity to raise issues faced by young people such as job opportunities, minimum wage, property price increases, etc. In turn, political parties will also be able to increase the representation of youths in the next general election.
For example, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) had nominated Farzana Hayani, 21, as the Melaka state assembly candidate during the recent Melaka by-election. She was the youngest candidate to contest in the election.
This is definitely reflecting a positive pattern of change in terms of rebranding our homeland politics among the young people.
I am also grateful to the Undi18 organisation for working hard to pass this bill for the reduction of voting age and minimum age to run for elections unanimously in the parliament.
Undi18’s struggle has been the starting point to empower young Malaysians to expand their involvement in politics and policy making.
Politics is a weapon to reform our country’s leadership system. This is our only chance to lead our homeland. Our country is our responsibility. – Jan 7, 2022
Kiran Raj Sathivel is a member of the Malaysian Youth Parliament.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
