Young voters eager to have their voices heard

KUCHING: The implementation of Undi18 this week comes with mixed feelings of joy and relief to the group of Sarawakian youths who took the government to court over its delay.

They are now looking forward to voting in the next election after just missing out on the Dec 18 Sarawak state polls.

Grace Chang Swee Ern said that youths would now have a voice in the country’s future through its democratic process.

“I’m happy that Undi18 is now implemented, with new voters’ names to appear on the electoral roll by this Sunday.

“Although it was not in time for the state election, hopefully that was the last election that Undi18 voters missed,” she said when contacted yesterday.

Chang also said while youths in Malaysia could anticipate voting in upcoming elections, they need to be informed and educated voters.

“I’m looking forward to the impact that youth votes will make so that Malaysia becomes a better country,” she added.

Ivan Alexander Ong said he was “beyond happy” that history was being made with Undi18’s implementation.

“I cannot wait to see how this will impact the coming general election.

“Finally, youth voices will be heard,” he said.

Chang and Ong were among five youths who filed a judicial review application at the High Court here last year challenging the government’s delay in implementing Undi18 beyond July 2021.

On Sept 3, High Court Judicial Commissioner Alexander Siew ordered the Election Commission and the government to implement the lowering of the voting age by Dec 31.

The Star reported yesterday that the names of 5.8 million new voters will appear on the electoral roll this Sunday following the implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration.

Of the total, 1.2 million will be Malaysians aged 18 to 20 while 4.6 million will be those who have not previously registered as voters.