LETTERS – It is a new beginning for youths, for they are given the chance to plan the country’s democracy through the 15th general election, which is expected this year or the next.
Parliament reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 in 2019, with 211 out of 222 lawmakers backing the amendment to the federal constitution.
About 86 per cent of the countries in the world have 18 as the minimum voting age. In the last general election in 2018, students and the younger segment of the population, aged 21 to 39-year-old, made up 41 per cent of the 14.9 million registered voters.
Now, 3.7 million youths can vote as soon they turn 18 with automatic registration. This young segment can make a huge difference in the selection of the next government.
The coming Johor election would be litmus test for political parties. Allowing political freedom to youth help to instil critical thinking, encourage intellectual debates, develop leadership skills and enhance language proficiency.
Youths are creative, dynamic and are savvy in digital tools.
They are hungry for positive change in the political, economic and social systems in the country.
Source: C.Sathasivam Sitheravellu (NST)
