Undi 18: IRDP disappointed with Rais Yatim's statement, PN's fragile reflection on democracy

KUALA LUMPUR: The Institute for Policy Research and Development (IRDP) takes seriously the statement issued by Dewan Negara Speaker (YPDN), Tan Sri Rais Yatim, that Undi 18 will not be implemented for the 15th General Election (GE15).

According to IRDP Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof, the statement is very disappointing for Malaysians, especially young people who are looking forward to their direct involvement in the election process.

"The statement coming from the YPDN itself, which is one of the most important institutions in the country's democratic system, is very disappointing as Malaysians, especially young people, are looking forward to their direct involvement in the election process.

"The amendment of Article 119 (1) of the Federal Constitution was approved by the Dewan Rakyat on 16 July 2019 with a two-thirds majority with a vote of 211 Dewan Rakyat members.

"Next, it was approved in the Dewan Negara on July 25, 2019 with the support of more than a two-thirds majority of 47 out of 68 Dewan Negara members," he said in a media statement on Sunday.

In fact, Mohamad Ariff asserted, Rais' statement looked awkward when Undi 18 went through the law-making process perfectly in the Dewan Rakyat, Dewan Negara and obtained the consent of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong which was gazetted on 4 September 2019.

"The YPDN's stance reflects the fragile commitment of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government in ensuring that our country's democratic practices remain strong.

"It also seems to deny the votes of Honorable Members and Senators who have participated in this system of parliamentary democracy," he added.

He added that the government's failure to implement the provisions of the Federal Constitution will deny the right of 1.8 million young people aged 18-20 years in 2021 to vote in the GE15.

"The government's indifference today in realising this agenda is at the same time killing the spirit of young people.

"This is also clearly in contrary to the statement of the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Parliament and Law), Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan in November last year who promised the implementation of the voting age of 18 by July this year," he added.

Thus, the IRDP urges the PN government to uphold the principles of the Supremacy of the Constitution and take immediate steps to implement the right to vote at the age of 18 as enshrined in Article 119 (1) of the Federal Constitution.

The Speaker of the Senate on March 11, among others, said there were various constraints to implement the Vote 18 policy even after the Dewan Rakyat approved the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019.

In his statement, Rais said the country was still not ready to allow voter registration as early as that age as the process of obtaining a voter list took a long time.

However, his statement invited various reactions from political party leaders.