Snowdan: Time not right yet for M’sia to lower minimum voting age

KUCHING: It is still not the right time for Malaysia to lower the eligible voting age from 21 to 18, says Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports Datuk Snowdan Lawan.

He points this out in view of the culture of this country where the majority of those aged 18 to 19 are still under their parents’ care, especially those who are still studying.

“While I personally think it is a good idea, I don’t think we can do it now. This is something for the future because we are not ready yet. Those aged 18 to 19 are mostly still studying and it is best that they focus on studies, and not politicking.

“We don’t want our kids to be involved in politics. Those aged 18 to 19 are still under their parents’ care. Our culture is different here, not like other countries,” he told reporters after attending the ‘ Future in Tech: Sarawak’ programme at Tabung Ekonomi Gagasan Anak Bumiputera Sarawak ( Tegas) Innovation Centre in Icom Square here on Thursday.

Snowdan, who has a collegegoing son aged 18, pointed out that even Singapore had not lowered its voting age from 21, although other countries in the region had a much lower voter’s age eligibility.

The assistant minister expressed his concern about the proposed lowering of the voting age could negatively encourage teenagers to be involved in street demonstrations driven by politics like in other countries.

“Singapore is much more advanced than us; yet they still maintain the minimum voting age at 21 years old. Some may argue that those aged 17 can get driving licence. But you must remember – driving a car is not like driving an economy and a country. This is about quality voting – if you don’t have quality voting, you won’t have quality government.

“When you are still young, you may not understand issues and can easily be manipulated by what you see and read on social media. But once you have reached the right age, you will be able to make the right decisions,” he stressed.

Federal Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced recently that Malaysians aged 18 and above could exercise their voting rights in the next general election following the cabinet decision to lower the voting age from 21.

For this move to take effect, it would need to get two- thirds majority from parliamentarians upon the tabling of the amendment to the current election laws in Parliament.