Dr Hazland Hipni
KUCHING: Lawmakers will also have to study and get the pros and cons of lowering the minimum age of voters from 21 to 18, said Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) supreme council member Dr Hazland Hipni.
The Federal government in a Cabinet meeting recently agreed to lower the age of voters from 21 to 18. It will have to amend the Malaysian Constitution to allow the minimum age limit of voters at 18 from the present age of 21.
The voting age for the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India, Iran, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Cambodia have been reduced to 18 years, Dr Hazland pointed out, while Malaysia and Singapore maintain the voting age at 21.
“However, there are pros and cons to this issue. The 21-year-olds have started to have a sense of self-esteem compared to those aged 18 who are still listening to outsiders to make a decision.
“Young voters are easily exploited in particular with false news in social media while older voters have the experience of making rational decisions.
“Here are some things that can illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of 18-year-old voters. The pros in implementing new 18-years-old voters firstly, by 18 years of age, many things have been legalised in Malaysia including employment, marriage, driving license, loan application, home ownership, tax and others. Secondly, giving a say in matters affecting them (youth),” Dr Hazland insisted.
Thirdly, the move will promote civic-mindedness at an early age. Fourthly, it helps to develop interest in the political system, fifthly, it means that their voices would be taken seriously. and lastly it is good for a developing country.
Dr Hazland said the number of disadvantages in implementing new voters aged 18 is equally the same.
“At age 18, they are considered too young to carry on and fulfill important responsibilities in the country’s political system. At this age also, they (teenagers) doubted their own ability and self-esteem in making the right decisions to choose.
“In fact, they also have less experience in making decisions in the ballot box. Young voters in other countries show lack of political interest and they too are easily influenced by radical politics or voluntary voting,” stressed Dr Hazland who is Demak Laut assemblyman.