In the third series of the Youth Parliamentary Debathon 2022 jointly organised by Malaysiakini and KiniEvents in collaboration with the Delegations of European Union to Malaysia. Australian High Commission, along with Taylor’s College, 10 youth representatives across the country strongly addressed the issue of low voter turnout in the previous Johor election. 

The aim of this discussion is to give the youth an opportunity to speak out, voice out their challenges and give their views and suggestions on mandatory voting.

The debaters between the ages of 16 and 26 brought concrete arguments to convince the audiences before they voted to support or oppose the motion.

In total, there were 2,277 total voters who participated in the Youth Parliamentary Debathon voting system. Based on the 10 proposals submitted by all the youth representatives, Tan Wei Siang’s (from the government bench) suggestion on (People's Lethargy and Distrust of the Ongoing Political Process) received the highest vote which is 77%.

The 21-year-old student from Asia Pacific University Of Technology And Innovation, was awarded the Most Popular Debater title for the third series of the Youth Parliamentary Debathon 2022.

This was followed by Nur Ain Natasha’s (from the government bench) suggestion on 

(Scope of Political Education) which had 72% vote and Clerie Olivia’s (from the opposition bench) suggestion on (Irrelevant for the Government to Pressure People to Vote) tied with Lisa Amanda’s (from the government bench) suggestion on (Unstable Government) both which had 62% vote. 

Below are all the 10 proposed suggestions from the youth representatives:

1. People's Lethargy and Distrust of the Ongoing Political Process

2. Cultivate the Spirit of Ownership and Accountability over the Nation

3. When it Comes to Voting Rights, People Should Have the Option to Not Vote

4. Scope of Political Education

5. Voting Is No Longer an Individual Right If It Is Compulsory

6. Irrelevant for the Government to Pressure People to Vote

7. Unstable Government

8. Special Voting Arrangements

9. Lack of Political Education Comprehension

All the problem statements and suggestions presented by the fellow debaters will be documented and submitted to the Youth and Sports Department under the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The last round of the debate with the topic of political financing law was held on 29 October 2022. You can watch here to watch the last episode of the Youth Parliamentary Debathon for 2022.

You can also rewatch again the first series and the second series and the third series of the Youth Parliamentary Debathon 2022. For further information on the Youth Parliamentary Debathon visit this website.