LAST month, the cabinet announced its decision to lower the eligible voting age from 21 to 18, thus fulfilling one of Pakatan Harapan’s 14th general election manifesto promises. This should come as good news for those aged between 18 and 21, who, according to the latest population statistics, number over two million.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman estimated that the new policy would likely add 3.7 million, or 25% more, voters to the electoral roll.
Prior to this, among Asian countries that hold democratic elections, only Singapore and Malaysia had voting age limitations at 21 years old. In fact, across the world, voting rights at 18 are institutionalised in a majority of countries. Some go even lower – the voting age in Indonesia is 17, and 16 in Brazil.
The age of 21 was originally chosen because it was embedded in our constitution and passed down since independence was gained 61 years ago. It originated from the English Law, and the definition of “adult” back in those days. But things have changed since the 1950s. The Age of Majority Act 1971 in Malaysia states that adults are defined as those above 18.
Under the law, a person aged 18 has the right to drive, marry, choose a religious belief, sign legal agreements and serve in the army, and must bear legal consequences if convicted. Given that they already have the power to decide on such major life events, why should these youth be regarded as “not mature enough” to have the right to vote?
Some argue that bearing responsibility for decision-making at a personal and family level does not necessarily mean that young people know how to make reasonable judgments for the future of the community and country. However, I am not confident that all “experienced” senior voters act on reason rather than emotion when the time comes to cast their ballots.
Also, if that is a valid argument, it must imply disapproval of the qualification and ability of 18-year-old voters around the world, too. Furthermore, 18-year-old youth are expected to have election experience in school, through societies or organisations in their high school years, and they should not, therefore, be too unfamiliar with voting in the collective interest.
Regardless of their age group, a good voter should meet four criteria:
1) Show up at the polling station and vote;
2) Think rationally and carefully about political parties, candidates and election issues;
3) Be able to differentiate right from wrong, and weigh the pros and cons of the voting choice in order to make the best call; and,
4) Care about and balance the entire local community’s interest up to national interest, but not vote purely out of personal interest.
Judging on these four criteria, I believe many probably did not perform well. If you ask them why they voted for this candidate or that party, the likely response would be that they voted based on sentimental attachment, or based on their family’s historical voting record (e.g. my dad/mum/husband/wife always votes for this party).
There are many who do not even fulfil the first and foremost criteria, which is to simply turn up and vote. This has nothing to do with age. In this regard, voter education should be considered a vital component of lifelong learning – the earlier one engages and practises it, the better.
Before GE14, a number of news outlets reported a lukewarm response from youth when political parties launched their voter registration drive. At the same time, a survey showed that 70% of youth admitted an indifference to politics. The Undi18 movement’s online petition did not meet even half of the targeted number (5,000) of endorsement signatures, despite having been circulated for over a year.
However, on polling day itself, according to estimates from the Merdeka Centre, the youth turnout rate reached 81% – not too far from the national average of 82.3%. This proves that young voters are very much willing to fulfil their obligations as citizens, and are, perhaps, not as politically negative or indifferent as previously thought.
Politicians’ ability to attract the attention of young voters depends on the current political climate, as well as whether the main issues relate to them. In the 2017 UK general election, about 64% of young voters, aged between 18 and 24, turned up to vote, contributing to the highest turnout rate for the past 25 years.
In Germany’s 2013 general election, the voter turnout rate for the 18-21 age group was higher than that of the 21-25 and 26-30 groups. This again shows that youth are taking an interest in voting for their future.
The policy of lowering the eligible voting age enables youth to participate in policymaking, while also giving them a head start in cultivating political awareness. This can hardly do any harm.
Political parties seeking to woo these voters and gain their support have to offer comprehensive policies that are beneficial to youth, considering aspects such as job opportunities, higher education and skills training, transportation, housing, family development, culture and sports, and personal safety. Politicians also need to proactively reach out to the younger generation, using communication platforms and language that make up youth’s common mediums, so that they can connect well with these young minds and win their hearts for votes.
Political awareness (but not political propaganda) should be included in the secondary- and tertiary-level civic education syllabus, so that youth can understand and differentiate political values and the philosophies behind them. And, the content should go beyond merely the processes and proceedings of our political system. Students should also be allowed and encouraged to have more open political debates and discussions.
Young people, with their innovative vision and creative ideas, have great potential to have an impact on nation-building, through influencing political discourse and challenging “outmoded” ways of thinking. Giving them the freedom to vote not only encourages them to contribute (through greater political recognition), but also to advocate for reforms where needed, and to develop a love for the community and country based on a tangible hope for the future.
Malaysia has not escaped the political trap of race and religion, but the country’s new political hopes will be in the hands of youth. Educating and training them early, as voters, could certainly be helpful.
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