Commentary: Malaysia's lowering of the voting age and the huge forces fueling the change

PENANG: In 2018, six decades after the Federation of Malaya first held elections, the Malaysian parliament made two sweeping changes to the Constitution., starting with the next general elections due to be held before mid-2023.The earlier 21-year-old age limit was previously set in line with the practice in the United Kingdom at the time independence was granted to Malaya, in 1957.

These include issues such as broad youth activism stimulated by the sacking of Anwar Ibrahim when he was Deputy Prime Minister, increasing urbanity, a higher level of education and the coming of age of the Internet and social media. This dynamic held steady in 2013 and 2018 except for the state of Johor, where opposition support was low in 2008, only to rise quickly over the following two elections to precipitate the fall of the state and the federal government on May 9, 2018.Significantly, Johor Bahru was the urban centre outside of the Klang Valley that saw the fastest growing population - between 1991 and 2000, it rose by about 280,000 people, from 468,800 to 642,900.

Pelli designed the 452-metre high Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the world's tallest building when it was completed in 1998 AFP/JIMIN LAIYet the most decisive factor that precipitated the fall of the Barisan Nasional coalition in 2018 was this: The dismantling of government control over information with the rise of the Internet and information communication technology.

Judging from how the voting-age amendment was passed unanimously, it is clear all political parties think that supporting the lowering of the voting age is the only way to go.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Commentary: These PSLE changes won’t fix our national obsession with academic achievementIs the education system evolving fast enough? NIE’s Jason Tan dissects the concerns over the new PSLE scoring model.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

COMMENT: Revised PSLE scoring system - why the need to change, and will things change?The Ministry of Education recently unveiled the new Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring system that will be implemented in 2021.
Source: YahooSG - 🏆 3. / 71 Read more »

Commentary: The Hong Kong protests seem to be escalating instead of fading awayThe protests have now spiralled into broader complaints and become more violent and unruly, says the Financial Times' Gideon Rachman.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Commentary: The hidden hell of hot-desking is much worse than you thinkSome companies have introduced rules to stem actions employees have taken to rebel against hot-desking, says the Financial Times' Pilita Clark.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Commentary: PM Mahathir has no interest in building a dynastySpeculation that Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's son, Mukhriz Mahathir, could take over from his father is just that, says freelance ... “The Pakatan Harapan presidential council comprises members from the three parties that make-up the coalition – PKR, PPBM and the Chinese-based Democratic Action Party (DAP).” 1AmyChew There’re 4 parties. Amanah was left out here.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

Commentary: Cigarette butts, the forgotten killer plastic pollutionCigarette butts or filters are the most littered item on the planet, Anglia Ruskin University's Danielle Green points out.
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »