LAST year, the cabinet decided to lower the legal voting age from 21 to 18.
This is worrisome.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said: “We want youth to be the determining factor in a general election.”
The general election is an important event as it determines the future government and leaders. Lowering the age is not a step in the right direction.
I believe 18-year-olds are not mature compared with 21-year- olds as the former have just completed their secondary education.
As a 22-year-old student, I think teenagers are easily influenced by people and make decisions without examining facts. We want someone who can vote for a better future and not a teenager who takes the task lightly.
Also, 18-year-olds are most likely to think that any information they read on the Internet is true.
This is one of the factors that the cabinet should consider before proceeding with the amendment. These teenagers are influenced by their parents, family members and friends.
They will end up following other people’s choices instead of deciding for themselves.
I oppose the decision to lower the voting age to 18.
Every person’s mentality differs. Some may think maturely and some don’t.
However, if the government wants to do it, then they should introduce a school subject that educates teenagers about elections and voting systems.
SYAFINA SUHAIMI
Shah Alam, Selangor