Extracts from The Star Online:
Yes and no to voting at 18
GEORGE TOWN: Some like having the power in their hands. Others did not have a clue what was going on.
Students were aware of the responsibility that comes with voting, and some felt they were ready to decide.
But others questioned if they were mature enough to vote at 18, especially those who are not keeping abreast with current affairs.
Ooi Zi Ting, 21, said it would be a bad idea to reduce the minimum voting age to 18 from 21.
“I am slightly aware of the political situation in the country, but not aware enough to make an informed decision to vote.
“My family members voted last year but we do not discuss politics at home.
“I don’t think bringing the voting age down to 18 is a good idea. As a teenager, you will probably be influenced by your parents on whom to vote for.
Opposing views: (From left) Ooi, ariena, Gautham and Joseph have different opinions on the proposal to lower the voting age
Event Management student Bernice Oh, 22, said many people were not aware of politics even at 21.
“I think it is important to know who you are voting into power, and not just put a cross on the ballot papers for the sake of it.
“When you are young, you do not really know much,” she said.
Ariena Irdina Hazarul Haswat, 19, said many teenagers do not talk about politics in school.
“It is only what I see on the television or social media that I grasp and understand. But I also know social media is not always the best source of correct information.
“I think it’s better to stick to voting at 21 as you are considered an adult then,” said the mass communication student.
But some students felt that lowering the voting age to 18 is the right decision.
Student S. Gautham, 18, said he has always been aware of the political situation in the country as it was discussed at home.
“My parents talk about politics at home and I feel I am old enough to be able to make a decision to vote.
“We have to understand what is going on and use our own judgement, not just what is on social media,” said Gautham who proposed that teens take an online test on the country and political parties before being allowed to register as voters.
Student Jonathan Joseph, 18, said he wished he was part of the political change last year.
“Politics is something we should be concerned about, the younger the better. These days we are exposed to a lot more information and have access to multiple versions of news.
“Even if it’s just three years earlier than the current voting age, we do have our own opinions,” said Joseph.In Melaka, teenagers were also as divided on being eligible to vote at 18.
Student Nurintan Suraya Rahmat felt that 18 is too young an age to be thinking about politics as she wants to concentrate on her studies.
“To me, 21 is the appropriate legal age to vote,” said Nurintan who prefers that the government focuses on strengthening multiracial ties and helping students with financial aid for their studies.
Ahmad Hakeemy, 18, said his peers are more interested in fashion, e-sports or football and certainly not politics.
Reading this news article I offer you my views based on the opinions of the above youths.
Students were aware of the responsibility that comes with voting, and some felt they were ready to decide.
But others questioned if they were mature enough to vote at 18, especially those who are not keeping abreast with current affairs.
Ooi Zi Ting, 21, said it would be a bad idea to reduce the minimum voting age to 18 from 21.
“I am slightly aware of the political situation in the country, but not aware enough to make an informed decision to vote.
“My family members voted last year but we do not discuss politics at home.
“I don’t think bringing the voting age down to 18 is a good idea. As a teenager, you will probably be influenced by your parents on whom to vote for.
Opposing views: (From left) Ooi, ariena, Gautham and Joseph have different opinions on the proposal to lower the voting ageEvent Management student Bernice Oh, 22, said many people were not aware of politics even at 21.
“I think it is important to know who you are voting into power, and not just put a cross on the ballot papers for the sake of it.
“When you are young, you do not really know much,” she said.
Ariena Irdina Hazarul Haswat, 19, said many teenagers do not talk about politics in school.
“It is only what I see on the television or social media that I grasp and understand. But I also know social media is not always the best source of correct information.
“I think it’s better to stick to voting at 21 as you are considered an adult then,” said the mass communication student.
But some students felt that lowering the voting age to 18 is the right decision.
Student S. Gautham, 18, said he has always been aware of the political situation in the country as it was discussed at home.
“My parents talk about politics at home and I feel I am old enough to be able to make a decision to vote.
“We have to understand what is going on and use our own judgement, not just what is on social media,” said Gautham who proposed that teens take an online test on the country and political parties before being allowed to register as voters.
Student Jonathan Joseph, 18, said he wished he was part of the political change last year.
“Politics is something we should be concerned about, the younger the better. These days we are exposed to a lot more information and have access to multiple versions of news.
“Even if it’s just three years earlier than the current voting age, we do have our own opinions,” said Joseph.In Melaka, teenagers were also as divided on being eligible to vote at 18.
Student Nurintan Suraya Rahmat felt that 18 is too young an age to be thinking about politics as she wants to concentrate on her studies.
“To me, 21 is the appropriate legal age to vote,” said Nurintan who prefers that the government focuses on strengthening multiracial ties and helping students with financial aid for their studies.
Ahmad Hakeemy, 18, said his peers are more interested in fashion, e-sports or football and certainly not politics.
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the term 'age of majority' generally refers to the age where one is considered to be an adult |
Reading this news article I offer you my views based on the opinions of the above youths.
If the above represent Malaysian youth, then it would seem Malays and Chinese in general do not support lowering the voting age to 18, but Indians do.
I reckon that's quite consistent with my own views which I have held for years, namely, Indians are more politically minded whilst Chinese are not. However, the Malays (not their youth) are by nature more politically active though from this sampling I gather Malay Youths are not so interested.
I have observed that even during my school days the Indian students were very political minded, not just with politics per se, but with all sorts of activities and affairs, whilst the Chinese and Malays were less so.
As we grew up, Chinese in general remain nonchalant towards politics and political activities whilst the Malays become more interested as they were recruited by the many Malay-based political parties. The Indians of course continue to show interests in politics and civic affairs.
For the Chinese lack of interest, could it be because their forefathers in China developed the avoid-government-matters-at-all-cost DNA, due to fear of official brutalities, corruption and injustice?
The Malays of course have always their history of court intrigues. I am less clear about the Indians.
Why are we even having this discussion?
ReplyDeleteIt was a Harapan manifesto promise so let's do it, otherwise people will complain you see "another U-Turn".
At 18 you are legally an adult: if you commit a crime you will be charged as an adult, you can become a soldier or policeman and be trusted with a weapon to kill, you can sign legally binding contracts, take a bank loan, drive a car, you can marry or divorce without needing anyone's consent etc etc.
If at 18 you have no idea about politics or who to vote for...then don't vote. Wait for the next round.
If at 18 you make a mistake and vote for the wrong person/party, well you can always change your mind at the next elections. Even old-timers make mistakes, like voting BN 13 consecutive times before changing their minds at GE14 ha ha ha.
BTW we all know one such person who voted BN 13 times then changed his mind at GE14.
Deleteagree.
DeleteIn case you are wondering....it's Toonsie.
DeleteIf you are old enough to be conscripted and possibly die for your country based on politicians' decisions, you should be old enough to vote.
ReplyDeleteVoting age at 18 is a non-issue. What is an issue of great importance is the Bill to repeal the mandatory death penalty for 11 offences to be tabled next week.
ReplyDeleteOnce passed, judges would have the discretion to either life imprisonment or 30 years jail time, instead of the death penalty.
Nine offences fall under the Penal Code while another two under the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971. For Drug Offences it will be dealt with separately. This is a big step forward towards total abolishment. There are currently 1,200 people on death row.
Sirul must be feeling a little worried and confused in Sydney I suspect. He may escape the gallows but his Oz holiday will come to an end and he may be coming home to face the music.