KUCHING: Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah believes many youth in Sarawak are not anti-establishment.
“We have done engagements with the youth. I strongly believe that a lot of them are very much with us,” said the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu vice-president.
“We even have our own youth survey index, where we go to each district in the state to gain feedback on the aspirations, views and wants of the youth. We can see that they are very practical and they can think wisely,” he said.
He said this at a press conference following a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony between Sarawak Museum Department and Heritage Conservation Centre Singapore, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, and Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak at Pullman Hotel here on Thursday (Nov 11).
He was commenting on the opposition raising the matter of Undi18 and the state election. Recently, opposition parties had claimed that Gabungan Parti Sarawak was rushing to hold the state election due to fear of Undi18.
“The opposition will create issues with anything. That 18-year-olds cannot vote in the election this time — they have also made it an issue. They did not go back deeper into the matter or look into it in depth,” he chastised.
Abdul Karim, who is also Youth and Sports Minister, said there is no issue here, adding that he would personally love to see Undi18 in place and those aged 18 and above able to vote in the coming state election.
Unfortunately, he said these are some matters that need to be refined between the Election Commission and the National Registration Department, and this takes time.
“So only after this year are those who have reached the age of 18 able to vote. So, if they cannot vote in the 12th state election, God willing, they will be able to vote in the 15th general election, which I believe will be held before 2023.
“We are already at the end of 2021; most likely it will be held in 2022,” he said.
At the same time, he reminded the youth to give careful consideration before casting their votes. He emphasised that although voting was a citizen’s right, it is a very heavy responsibility.
“Each vote is valuable. We cannot cast our vote based on emotions. We have to think deeply — which party is good, which candidate is good. It needs to be looked at from various angles,” he said.
With regard to candidates, he believed that the best age to enter politics as a candidate is 39 to 41.
He said people who are older would be more matured as they would have gained more experience over the years.
“I see that in the state election in Melaka, there is a 21-year-old candidate — not married yet and already a candidate. I am not against her, but what a life she will be having,” he said.
Abdul Karim pointed out that such young candidates may lose out on aspects such as settling down and raising a family.
“When you have already graduated, settled down, raised a family, built up your career — then you can go into politics (as a candidate).
“But as a voter, of course, those aged 18 and above can do it, because that is their right. If we can be given the power to hold a driving licence and to buy a house at 18, why not as a voter?” he said.
