COMMENT | It has been reported that the Government intends to table a bill to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age to 18. This will be the second attempt by the Pakatan Harapan + Warisan government to amend the Federal Constitution.

This proposed amendment is a long time coming. We are in the minority compared to the rest of the world. In countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, India and Iran, the voting age is 18.

In South-East Asia, a voter who is 18 may vote in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. In fact, there are already discussions in certain jurisdictions to lower the voting age to 16!

The right to vote is a sacred right in any democratic country. In Malaysia, the right to vote is guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

According to Article 119(1) of the Federal Constitution, a citizen who has reached 21 years, is resident in a particular election constituency and has been registered as a voter, is eligible and has the right to vote in any elections to the Dewan Rakyat or the State Legislative Assembly.

In Malaysia, the age of majority is 18 years old. Once a person has reached the age of majority, the law sees him or her as an adult. He or she is no longer a minor or a child.

He or she can enter into contracts, no longer needs a representative to initiate or defend suits, and will be tried as an adult if he or she is charged in Court. In Malaysia, a person can be married and obtain a driving licence by the time he or she is 18. But he or she cannot vote to determine who will represent him or her in Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly...