KUALA LUMPUR: Human rights and electoral groups have labeled the Cabinet's nod to lower the voting age limit from 21 to 18, as an affirmation of the youths' ability to help chart Malaysia's political direction.
Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) commissioner Jerald Joseph said the move signifies a changing political landscape where youths have the freedom to express their right to choose political parties.
He noted that political parties would now have to engage younger people, whose needs may differ from the traditional voting base of 21-year-olds and above.
"Eighteen-year-olds nowadays are given the right to apply for driving licences, continue their education and some even have begun their working life. They are already adults capable of thinking and choosing who to vote for.
"As a result, politicians would need to come up with solid and concrete messages as young people are naturally sceptical and asks many questions," he said when contacted today.
On whether 18-year-olds are mature enough to decide on who to vote for, Joseph expressed confidence in young adults' ability to reflect on arguments by political parties as the youths are very well-informed, thanks to the internet.
"Besides, youths are already exposed to some form of voting and campaigning in schools in the form of voting for head prefects," he said.
Electoral watchdog Bersih 2.0 acting chairman Shahrul Aman Mohd Saari said the emergence of a new group of electorates aged between 18 and 21 would help keep political parties in check.
He said this is because youths, who are knowledgeable and well-informed on current events, would lead to political parties being more careful in their actions across the board.
"Political parties now would also need to cater to the needs of this group of voters (aged between 18 and 21).
"They (political parties) need to win the confidence of youths in their (political parties) ability to govern the country. You must prove to youths that you can deliver," he said.
Shahrul also urged both the ruling coalition and opposition in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara approve the amendment to lower the voting age.
"Everyone (politicians) must remember that this form of empowerment of youths would benefit the country's democracy," he said.
The Cabinet on Wednesday agreed to lower the voting age limit from 21 to 18, which will be applied in the 15th general election (GE15) onwards.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said several amendments in the Federal Constitution are expected for this purpose to ensure the country's polling system could be more transparent and fair.
He said a motion on the matter would be tabled in Parliament for approval before it could be implemented, adding that they need a two-third majority in the Dewan Rakyat to effect the change.