KUCHING: The Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 needs to be reviewed, said Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Youth chief Michael Tiang.
The Act provides for the establishment, maintenance and administration of universities and university colleges and for other matters connected with it.
Parliament approved a Bill to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 on Tuesday in which 211 out of 222 MPs voted in favour of amending the nation’s constitution, allowing changes to be introduced.
As such, Tiang said, “Now we cannot stop students, especially in higher education institutions, from being involved in politics due to the amendment.”
“Society does not see 18-year-olds as mature enough to vote because until now, we have never opened their eyes or educate them about politics,” he said yesterday.
“Therefore, governments, schools, political parties, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) should take on the responsibility of educating teenagers in the country about our political system, to be more knowledgeable as a voter.”
He added that those aged 18 are allowed to vote in many countries due to the fact that many are taxpayers and have started working.
“They have the right to vote, but not in Malaysia, most have not worked at the age of 18 because they are still students and do not pay tax.
“That’s the main challenge we face…how to make sure this young generation is ready to become mature in politics and can vote wisely,” Tiang pointed out.
“Because they have the right to vote, this means they have the right to participate in any political activity, political party, campaigning etc.
“This also means institutions of higher learning, whether university or college, and society, should accept the fact that students over the age of 18 must be allowed to engage in political activities,” he stressed.
