Bersatu youth volunteer squad supports younger age for voters

KUCHING: The newly set-up youth volunteer squad of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Sri Aman supports the move to lower voting age from 21 to 18 years.

Its chief Alexander Frusis said the move, announced by Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman recently, was timely and in line with the changes taking place globally.

"It is good that we expose our young people early to the parliamentary democracy system, and to make them aware of their rights as voters," he said yesterday.

He was commenting on the announcement by Syed Saddiq, also Bersatu youth chief, that Malaysians aged 18 and above can exercise their voting rights in the next general election following a Cabinet decision to lower the voting age from 21.

Alexander revealed that the Bersatu Sri Aman youths volunteer squad was launched last week in Sri Aman, and it received good response from youths from diverse background.

He added their first assignment was to contribute assistance in the form of kitchen appliances to the fire victims at Rumah Musih, Sungai Merah Pantu on Sunday.

"A total 45 folks from 22 doors had lost their homes following the fire on August 21.

"We hope state and federal agencies, as well as NGOs will give attention to the welfare of the affected folks. This is because they are now staying at temporary houses while waiting for enough funds to build a new longhouse," he said.