GPS does not fear Undi18, seeks new mandate
CM says accusation of GPS fearing to face young voters ironic as it was the one that amended the constitution for them to vote
We are supposedly afraid of Undi18, but the state government was the one that amended the State Constitution to lower the minimum age required for a person to vote from 21 to 18 years old. Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg
KUCHING: Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg yesterday dismissed allegations that the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government is in a hurry to hold the state election soon as it fears facing young voters a er the implementation of Undi18.
“We are supposedly afraid of Undi18, but the state government was the one that amended the State Constitution to lower the minimum age required for a person to vote from 21 to 18 years old.
“We also respect Undi18,” he told a press conference a er officiating at the launch of Meet in Malaysia @ Sarawak 2021 and Kuching Hybrid City Alliance yesterday.
Abang Johari said GPS needs a fresh mandate from the people in line with democracy.
Using the analogy of a football match he said,
“At this time we are actually in ‘injury time’. We don’t have the mandate.
“We are expired, waiting for ‘penalty kick’,” he said.
On whether the state election in Melaka is an indicator that Sarawak election would be held soon, Abang Johari said that is for the Election Commission (EC) to decide.
“It depends on the EC. We at the moment are still in Emergency.
“If the Emergency li ed then we can decide. Then the
State Constitution will operate,” he said.
Last November, the Sarawak State Assembly (DUN) passed a Bill to amend Article 16 of the State Constitution to lower the minimum age required for a person to become an elected representative or voter from 21 to 18 years old.
The Constitution of the State of Sarawak (Amendment) Bill 2020, would align the State Constitution with the amended Article 47(b) and Article 119(1)(a) of the Federal Constitution which had reduced the qualifying age for the election to the Dewan Rakyat and to be an elector or voter, from 21 years old to 18 years old.
Opposition parties have been making allegations that the state government is rushing into calling the next state election due to fears of the implementation of Undi18. There have been speculations that the 12th state election may be held next month.