Mahiaddin should not use Undi18 as a bargaining chip

In light of the statement made by the prime minister yesterday, we would like to express our disagreement over the implementation of Undi18 being used as a political tool.

Mahiaddin Yasin stated the government has agreed to implement the Undi18 Bill without the implementation of automatic voter registration, through the tabling of the constitutional amendment bill in Parliament in September, for which the prime minister hopes to get bipartisan cooperation.

The proposed bill is a tactic by the prime minister to stay in power as bipartisan cooperation for this bill would eventually translate into a confidence vote for the prime minister. The Undi18 bill was unanimously passed as a constitutional amendment in Parliament in July 2019 and remains to be implemented over two years on.

Undi18 asserts that the Undi18 bill, including Section 3(a) and 3(b), can be implemented simultaneously, without further delay, by immediately bringing Section 3 into operation.

The enforcement of automatic voter registration under Section 3(b) of the Undi18 bill merely removes the barriers to the implementation of automatic registration and does not directly lead to the implementation of automatic voter registration.

Therefore, the prime minister is wrong in assuming that the lowering of the voting age can only be enforced through a constitutional amendment bill that separates the implementation of the lowering of the voting age from automatic voter registration.

Implementing Section 3(a) and 3(b) immediately is possible and will allow all Malaysians aged 18-20 to be able to register to vote in accordance with existing laws while providing more time for the Election Commission to settle the technicalities of automatic voter registration.

#Undi18 should not be used for political manoeuvring. – Undi18 (Persatuan Pengundi Muda)

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

Support our work by making a donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps: