Kuala Lumpur: Deputy Youth and Sports Minister, Senator Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, reiterated his full support for the Undi18 movement, and said his concerns and calls for voter’s education were misconstrued in a news report.He was referring to a report by The Rakyat Post (TRP) which he claimed, angled his comments to say Malaysian youth were not ready to exercise the right to vote as some form of political education needs to be institutionalised first.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal while solidifying his support for Undi18 said he was merely emphasising on the moral obligation for young voters to do it wisely.
“It is important to note that this was never my intention. However, I did express my concerns and firm belief that with the rights to vote, also come responsibilities. The right to vote must be accompanied by the moral obligation to do so wisely and judiciously.
“As one of the proponents of Undi18, I have earlier stated and emphasised the very same belief in news reports previously on the need to educate voters so that they are fully equipped to make an informed decisions come what may.
Meanwhile, The Perikatan Nasional (PN) Government should gazette the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 to lower the voting age if it honestly recognises the youth’s voice and role as pillars of the country, said the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0).
The coalition’s steering committee was questioning the statement by Wan Ahmad Fayhsal. It was also responding to Speaker of the Dewan Negara Tan Sri Rais Yatim who said 18-year-olds are lack life experience and should not shoulder the responsibility to determine the direction of the country.
“Bersih 2.0 questions the commitment of the PN government to enable Malaysian youths 18 and above to register as voters for next elections.
“The voice of the youth should be respected and taken into account. They are the inheritors of this nation and their voice on issues and challenges that this nation faces should not be denied as this will impact them in the future,” the committee said in a statement, Tuesday.
Bersih 2.0 said maturity in voting and political awareness should not be limited to those 21 and above, as age alone does not determine a person’s maturity level.
“Those who are older and said to be ‘wiser’ also do not necessarily have more understanding of our political system and the role of State institutions.
“We agree that civil and political education to expose youth to democratic and electoral issues is a good idea but this should not be an excuse to stop the efforts to involve the youth as voters in elections.
“Efforts to educate and involve the people in determining the direction of our country must go hand in hand continuously,” the committee said.
Additionally, Bersih 2.0 reasoned that the constitutional amendment was supported by 211 out of 222 MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.
“Delaying the process of gazetting the Undi 18 Bill is denying the will of the Dewan Rakyat. Flip-flop statements by politicians, such as Wan Fayhsal and Rais Yatim, who hold key positions in the Government only goes to show that the PN government does not take the decision of the Dewan Rakyat seriously.
“Bersih 2.0 urge the PN government to immediately gazette the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 to enable Malaysians who have reached the age of 18 to register as voters even though automatic registration is not yet implemented,” it said.
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