UNDI18: The role and responsibility of the young generation

Published :  Jan 31, 2022 9:20 AM

Updated : 9:23 AM

Source : Malaysiakini

 

On 16 July 2019, new history was created in Malaysia where Undi18, a campaign was successful to qualify young people aged 18 to vote and be a candidate in the election. This change was realized by a young representative, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. This is a testament to the empowerment of youth-initiated democracy.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 received the support of 211 out of 222 members of Parliament, which is more than two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives after two votes.

As a result, the voting age and eligibility to be a representative of the people in Malaysia was lowered from 21 years to 18 years.

Voting Implementation18

This decision was made following the Kuching High Court ruling that Undi18 and automatic voter registration must be implemented by December 31 this year. Putrajaya agreed with the decision. This change shows that Malaysia is ready to emulate the democracy of other developed and developing countries.

According to the guidelines of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), the age of 18 is recognized as mature enough to make decisions.

At the age of 18 a person can,

1. Contribute to the socioeconomics of the community.
2. Taking on the responsibilities of citizenship.
3. Subject to the contract agreement.
4. Paying taxes.
5. Granted the right to marry.

Be fully responsible for yourself.

The majority of countries in Europe have already lowered the minimum voting age to 18 years since the 60s. Meanwhile in Asia, most of the voting age in countries with active and progressive democracies such as Bangladesh, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea and Pakistan is as early as 18 to 19 years old.

In addition, it is a step forward to ensure that the numbers that determine the country's leaders are properly represented by all ages.

Undi18 can provide freshness in terms of political party leadership and government policy in the long term.

In connection with that, the Election Commission (SPR) will ensure that the matters involving the rules and legislation for the implementation of the two matters are completed by 31 December 2021, and they are ready for use in early 2022.

Youth 18 years old - mature and able to contribute to the development of the country

The implementation of Undi18 will begin in February 2022, where elections in this country will use automatic voter registration for voters who are 18 years old.

A person's maturity cannot be measured in terms of age, instead it can be displayed through behavior and way of thinking.

In relation to that, the right to vote should be given to individuals who have reached the age of 18 because they are able to contribute to the socioeconomics of the community, bear the responsibilities of citizenship, be subject to contractual agreements, be allowed to pay taxes and be given the right to marry, work, and be responsible full of himself.

This situation can explain that the right to vote must be given to people who function as members of society and the people, and not because of their knowledge and maturity in the political field.

Why the need for new young leaders?

Dynamic and progressive young leaders are able to lead the country to the success that everyone dreams of.

Previously, only those aged 21 and above were eligible to vote and be candidates in elections. As a result, they only matured after 10 years of involvement in politics and leadership.

As a result, politics and national leadership will only be lined up by the elderly and there will be a lack of young people. Eventually the young will feel that this politics and leadership is only for the old, and they will stay away from it.

When this happens, it is certain that the country will face a crisis of lack of backup leaders and we will be deprived of great leaders in the country.

At the same time, Undi18 is seen to be able to give young people the opportunity to be actively involved in making decisions about the future of the country. Perhaps after this we can see more young people becoming leaders, both at the federal and state levels.

Not only that, Undi18 is able to produce mature and quality potential leaders. Young Malaysians today just want fair justice for all.

However, if these people are not given the opportunity from now on, the process of producing young leaders as drivers of the country's politics will take a long time.

The role of young people and how they can get involved

Lowering the minimum age to vote and contest as a member of the People's Assembly is seen to be able to give more time to young people to approach and deepen the political and leadership arena of the country.

When there are many representatives of young people in the political arena, of course the voice of this young generation will be heard more.

The latest and contemporary ideas of the young generation can be shared with the national leadership in shaping more effective national policies.

The combination of young intellect and the experience of the elderly is definitely capable of leading Malaysia in a better direction.

Political awareness through education

Therefore, the government needs to commit to educating school students and youth about the country's democratic system including other countries to create political awareness as suggested by the Special Authority for Reform of Election Law and System (ERC).

Education is able to mature the young voters to choose individuals or groups who are seen to be able to lead Malaysia into a progressive country in the future.

With the knowledge of voter education and Undi18, it can prevent the young generation from having an attitude of 'no interest in politics'. Many school students are found to have a negative impression of the country's politics.

In fact, there are those who are not familiar with the Cabinet, do not know about the government system and national legislation and do not care about current issues.

According to the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, several initiatives to ensure that voters aged 18 go out to vote are being actively carried out. The voter education program held aims to approach youth voters and give them an understanding of the election process.

The best example of a country that practices voter education is Australia. Voter education in Australia is given to all levels of society and it starts from primary school. Democracy and elections modules are taught in all education subjects from the age of seven.

Students are introduced to the basics of democracy, the importance of participating and making choices. Most interestingly, the subject of this election is changed to a form that is interesting and not burdensome. This effort is believed to make young people aware of the importance of voting when the time comes.

Opportunities for Young Political Leaders to become Election Candidates

The space provided through Undi18 will see more young people actively involved in making decisions about the future of the country and becoming leaders both at the federal and state levels.

Although there are those who doubt the ability of young people, but this kind of opportunity is seen as the best way for the country to produce potential leaders of caliber for the future.

The ability to obtain a variety of information at the fingertips, makes young people more open in making decisions.

In fact, the earlier young people are given the right to be involved in the democratic process, the sooner they are ready to take on the responsibility of being the future leaders of the country.

We do not want the country to lack competent leaders. As a result,

1. People have no choice to choose the right representative to fight for their rights.
2. They had to choose 'recycled' representatives because there was no credible back-up leader.
3. The limited choice of leaders causes the people to get tired of the current situation and take the easy way out of not knowing.
4. It is not impossible that this situation may cause our country to be unable to compete with other countries and remain at the old notch.

Representing the voice of the younger generation

Undi18 is able to change the old style of politics. Young people must prove that they are capable of offering a new and fresher political platform.

They can prove that the young people who are highly intellectual and intelligent in the struggle are not obsessed with party ideology that often negates truth and justice.

In addition, Undi18 has the potential to make the young generation the 'backbone' to succeed in the agenda of promoting democracy.

The young people are able to be involved in the process of influencing public policy intellectually and maturely in addition to continuing the spirit and policy of struggle through the legislative branch.

When they are elected as people's representatives, the ranks of the youth will be stronger. If they are elected to join the Cabinet, they can provide new political lessons to the community.

No more practicing the old politics that only cares about the power and wealth that comes with position.

What is certain is that young people are fed up with the style of today's political elite who are always struggling for power until they are no longer able to distinguish between responsibility to the people and personal political survival.

The issues of young people should be highlighted for the progress of the country

When there are no representatives from the youth, the issues that involve them are often viewed as silent by the rightful parties.

Among the issues that are troubling young Malaysians today are issues of education, job opportunities, equality, corruption and unity.

The country's unstable political situation since the 14th General Election (GE) has caused young people to increasingly lose faith in politicians. Their voices are marginalized and not actively fought for.

People's representatives or politicians should involve young people in politics and nation-building in order to ensure that the policies made will benefit the young people.

For example, young people are actually affected by national policies and laws but they cannot influence or convince the government about their rights.

Undi18 is expected to increase the awareness of young people regarding their understanding of current issues such as education loans, cost of living, youth socioeconomics and so on.

The better the young people's understanding of current issues, the wiser the choices that will be made for the future of the country.

The direction of the country will be determined by today's youth

Ahead of GE15, it is believed that 7.8 million new voters will increase. Of this number, 3.8 million represent young people aged 18 years.

This increase shows that the number of new voters represents 34% of the total number of voters. In other words, three out of ten voters are new voters.

The presence of these new voters is able to change the current political scenario if all those voters go out to vote during the next election.

People's representatives from the youth group will also bring a new light to the young generation and the entire Malaysian people.

There is no doubt that young people's decision to make a choice will be influenced by parents, peers, media and leaders. However, they are not bound by party loyalty and are more based on current issues that will affect or determine their future.

How to register to vote?

The implementation of Undi18 will begin in February 2022, where elections in this country will use automatic voter registration for voters who are 18 years old next year.

The implementation of this system will see that no citizen aged 18 and above will be excluded from being registered as a voter.

Conclusion

The young generation needs to equip themselves with the knowledge of voters and the democratic system. Make the most of the available opportunities.

Today, they are no longer the group that only have to listen and follow whatever instructions come from the older generation but now they also have the right to make decisions and shape the future of the country.

It is hoped that the younger generation can now use the rights they have wisely, maturely and effectively. Vote is a personal choice. There is no wrong vote, but that right should be given to all young Malaysians

Date of Input: 23/07/2022 | Updated: 23/07/2022 | s_syazana