During the debate on lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 - ‘Undi18’ - for which amendments to the Federal Constitution had been passed, a very important issue arose, namely political education. According to the proposer, political education is needed for youths who will vote for the first time when they turn 18, starting with GE15.
That need is undeniable. But the question remains, why is this matter raised now? Why has it not been raised before? Is it because there still exists a view that the youth are not ready to vote? That the youth are immature? That the youths are easily influenced? Is it because there are still those who belittle and distrust the youth?
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah is the Foreign Minister of Malaysia. Views expressed are the writer’s own.
