UNDI18

Last updated
UNDI18
Persatuan Pengundi Muda (Malay)
FormationApril 2017;7 years ago (2017-04)
PurposeAdvocacy
Headquarters Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Co-founders
  • Tharma Pillai
  • Qyira Yusri
Website undi18.org

UNDI18 (literal translation: Vote18) is a Malaysian civil society organisation (CSO) focused on Malaysian youth political empowerment, voter education and electoral reform.

Contents

UNDI18 is credited for successfully lobbying the Malaysian Parliament to amend the Federal Constitution of Malaysia and pass the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 which changed the minimum age for voting from 21 years old to 18 years old. This is notable for being the first Constitutional Amendment in Malaysian history to be supported unanimously in both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.

In 2021, UNDI18 also spearheaded the move towards implementation of the lowered voting age after the passage of the constitutional amendment; via a series of protests and a lawsuit against the Federal Government. UNDI18 launched a judicial review application at the Kuching and Kuala Lumpur High Court which successfully mandated the enfranchisement of Malaysians aged from 18 years old to 20 years old after the passage of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019.

History

UNDI18 was founded by then-students Tharma Pillai and Qyira Yusri and began in 2016 under the auspices of the Malaysian Students Global Alliance as an initiative to reduce the minimum eligible age for voting in Malaysia from 21 years old to 18 years old. In April 2017, UNDI18 sent a memorandum to the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak advocating for an amendment to Article 119(1)(a) of the Malaysian Federal Constitution which governs the minimum eligible age for voting in Malaysia but was not successful in reforming the minimum voting age at the time. [1]

2019 Malaysian Federal Constitutional Amendment

After the 14th Malaysian General Election, the new Pakatan Harapan government led by Mahathir Mohamad started working towards implementing the new minimum voting age in line with the coalition's election manifesto. [2] UNDI18 were able to successfully obtain the endorsement of Minister of Youth and Sports Syed Saddiq [3] as well as bipartisan endorsements from members of Parliament in the opposition bloc to support the reform. [4]

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 was presented to the Dewan Rakyat and included provisions relating to automatic voter registration for all Malaysian citizens and amendments to the minimum age of candidacy for standing for elections to the Dewan Rakyat and state legislative assemblies in Malaysia. [5]

On 16 July 2019, the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019 was passed unanimously by all present members of the Dewan Rakyat and is the first bill in Malaysia's history to have obtained unanimous support in the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara. [6]

2019—2022 State Constitution Amendments

Following the amendments to the Federal Constitution lowering the minimum voting age and minimum age of candidacy to stand for election to the Dewan Rakyat, similar amendments to the constitutions of all states in Malaysia were undertaken in order to allow Malaysians aged 18–20 years old to stand for elections to state legislative assemblies in Malaysia. As of December 2022, 12 out of 13 states in Malaysia have amended their state constitutions in order to allow youths aged 18 and above to stand for elections to their respective state legislative assemblies.

Implementation of State Constitutional Amendments Lowering Age of Candidacy
StateImplementation of State Constitutional AmendmentNote
Johor UnimplementedAmendment has been passed by the Johor State Legislative Assembly but has not yet received royal assent [7] [8]
Kedah ImplementedAmendment passed by the Kedah State Legislative Assembly on 18 November 2021 [9]
Kelantan ImplementedAmendment passed by the Kelantan State Legislative Assembly on 12 August 2020 [10]
Melaka ImplementedAmendment passed by the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on 2 March 2022 [11]
Negeri Sembilan ImplementedAmendment passed by the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly on 2 December 2021 [12]
Pahang ImplementedAmendment passed by the Pahang State Legislative Assembly on 10 December 2021 [13]
Perak ImplementedAmendment passed by the Perak State Legislative Assembly on 27 October 2020 [14]
Perlis ImplementedAmendment passed by the Perlis State Legislative Assembly on 21 May 2020 [15]
Penang ImplementedAmendment passed by the Penang State Legislative Assembly on 1 September 2021 [16]
Sabah ImplementedAmendment passed by the Sabah State Legislative Assembly on 21 November 2019 [17]
Sarawak ImplementedAmendment passed by the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly on 12 November 2020 [18]
Selangor ImplementedAmendment passed by the Selangor State Legislative Assembly on 6 December 2021 [19]
Terengganu ImplementedAmendment passed by the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly on 12 August 2020 [20]

2021 Mana Undi Kami Protests

Protestors during the Mana Undi Kami protest at Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur ManaUndiKamiProtest.jpg
Protestors during the Mana Undi Kami protest at Jalan Parlimen, Kuala Lumpur

The 2020 Sheraton Move in Malaysia led to the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government and the emergence of successive short-term governments. In March 2021, the Perikatan Nasional government announced the postponement of the implementation of the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 by the Election Commission and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Law and Parliament. According to the statement by the Election Commission, the Constitution (Amendment) Act 2019 will be implemented in September 2022, instead of the originally set timeline, which was by July 2021. [21]

The first Mana Undi Kami (meaning Where Are Our Votes in Malay) protest took place on 27 March 2021 in response to the delays to the implementation of the constitutional amendment passed in 2019 as well as the suspension of Parliament by Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin. Protestors assembled at Jalan Parlimen with more than 200 people assembling, including representatives from Malaysian political parties and civil society. [22]

2021 Judicial Review Against the Federal Government

UNDI18 led two applications of judicial review by a group of 18 Malaysian youths in Kuala Lumpur and 5 youths in Kuching at the Kuala Lumpur and Kuching High Courts, respectively, to challenge the government's action in postponing the implementation of the constitutional amendment. [23] [24]

On 3 September 2022, the Kuching High Court declared the delays in implementation of the constitutional amendments as "irrational and unreasonable" and issued a mandamus order compelling the Malaysian government to implement the constitutional amendments. [25]

The government of Malaysia successfully implemented the constitutional amendment to lower the minimum age of voting and standing for elections to the Dewan Rakyat as well as to implement automatic voter registration on 15 December 2021 [26]

Achievements and Initiatives

Parlimen Digital

Execution of Parlimen Digital Parlimendigital.jpg
Execution of Parlimen Digital

The COVID-19 pandemic which affected Malaysia in early 2020 led to the suspension of Parliament due to fears of the spread of COVID-19. In response to repeated calls for the Parliament of Malaysia to assemble virtually, UNDI18, in collaboration with other Malaysian youth organisations organised Parlimen Digital, a virtual parliamentary simulation featuring 222 Malaysian youths representing federal parliamentary constituencies in Malaysia who took part in debates and proceedings.

Parlimen Digital took place on 4–5 July 2020 and acted as proof-of-concept for the political acumen of Malaysian youths as well as the feasibility of a virtual parliamentary sitting in lieu of a physical parliamentary sitting for the Malaysian Parliament during the COVID-19 pandemic. [27]

Vote Malaysia

In conjunction with the 15th Malaysian General Election, UNDI18 along with 13 other youth organisations initiated the Vote Malaysia, a postal voting initiative which was aimed at gathering postal votes from overseas Malaysian voters before sorting and distributing the votes for counting on polling day.

Vote Malaysia collected more than 35,000 postal votes from 25 countries which were counted as part of the 15th Malaysian General Election. [28]

Related Research Articles

Elections in Malaysia include elections to public office of the political entities that since 1963 have composed the federation of Malaysia. At present, elections in Malaysia exist at two levels: federal level and state level. Federal level elections are those for membership in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Parliament, while state level elections are for membership in the various State Legislative Assemblies. The heads of executive branch at both the federal and state levels, the Prime Minister and Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers respectively, are usually indirectly elected, filled by a member of the majority party/coalition in the respective legislatures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Loke</span> Malaysian politician

Anthony Loke Siew Fook is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Minister of Transport for the first term in the Unity Government administration under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since December 2022 and previously in the Pakatan Harapan administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Seremban since May 2013, Rasah from March 2008 to May 2013 and Member of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Chennah since May 2013, Lobak from March 2004 to May 2013. He is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the PH and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions. He has served as the 6th Secretary-General of DAP since March 2022, 2nd Parliamentary Leader of DAP from July 2018 to March 2022 and previously as National Organising Secretary of DAP and Youth Chief of DAP or Chief of Socialist Youth (DAPSY). He was also the Leader of the Opposition of Negeri Sembilan and State Chairman of the PR of Negeri Sembilan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dzulkefly Ahmad</span> Malaysian politician

Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly bin Ahmad is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Minister of Health for the second term in the Unity Government administration under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim since December 2023 and the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Selangor from March 2008 to May 2013 and again since May 2018. He served his first term as the Minister of Health in the PH administration under former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad from May 2018 to his resignation and the collapse of the PH administration in February 2020. He is a member of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of PH coalition and was a member of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), a former component party of the former Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Alternatif (BA) opposition coalitions. He has also served as the Vice President of AMANAH since December 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar</span> Governor of Sarawak

Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar is a Malaysian politician, lawyer and former senior police officer who is the eighth and current Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak. He previously served as the 19th President of the Dewan Negara and Senator from June 2023 to his resignation in January 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">RSN Rayer</span> Malaysian politician and lawyer

Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer s/o Rajaji Rayer(Tamil: ஆர். எஸ். என். ராயர்) is a Malaysian politician and lawyer who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jelutong since May 2018. He served as Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Seri Delima from March 2008 to May 2018. He is a member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions.He currently serves as the Chairman of the Penang Hindu Endowments Board.

Azman bin Ismail is a Malaysian politician and medical doctor who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kuala Kedah from May 2013 to November 2022. He is a member of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mas Ermieyati Samsudin</span> Malaysian politician

Datuk Wira Hajah Mas Ermieyati binti Samsudin is a Malaysian politician who has served as chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) since April 2023 and as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Masjid Tanah since May 2013. She served as deputy minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament and law in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former minister Wan Junaidi from August 2021 to the collapse of BN administration in November 2022, Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021 and the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Culture in the BN administration under former prime minister Najib Razak and former Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz from July 2015 to the collapse of the BN administration in May 2018. She is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the PN coalition and was a member of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the BN coalition. She has served as the 2nd Deputy Women Chief of BERSATU since August 2020 and the Women Youth Chief of the UMNO from October 2013 to June 2018. After the defeat of BN to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition in the 2018 general election, she resigned from UMNO in 2018 and joined BERSATU in 2019. She is also the second female PAC chairperson after Noraini Ahmad in Malaysian history.

Shabudin bin Yahaya is a Malaysian politician who has served as Chairman of the Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) since September 2021. He served as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of Parliament and Law in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Minister Takiyuddin Hassan from July 2020 to August 2021, Secretary of the Government Backbenchers Club (BBC) from September 2021 to June 2022, Secretary of the PN Government Backbenchers Club (PNBBC) from January 2021 to collapse of the PN government in August 2021, Chairman of the FELCRA Berhad briefly from May 2020 to July 2020, Member of Parliament (MP) for Tasek Gelugor from May 2013 to November 2022 and Member of the Penang State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Permatang Berangan from March 2004 to May 2013. He is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the PN and formerly Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalitions and was a member of United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. After the defeat of BN to PH in the 2018 general election, he resigned from UMNO in 2018 and joined BERSATU in 2019.

The 2021 Sarawak state election, formally the 12th Sarawak general election, took place on 18 December 2021. This election was to elect 82 members of the 19th Sarawak State Legislative Assembly. The previous assembly was dissolved on 3 November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof</span> Malaysian politician

Tan Sri Dato' Mohamad Ariff bin Md Yusof is a Malaysian politician who served as the 9th Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat, the lower chamber of the Parliament of Malaysia from July 2018 to his removal from speakership in July 2020. He is a member of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) opposition coalition. He resigned from all AMANAH party positions but not membership to become more impartial after being appointed to the Dewan Rakyat speakership. Therefore, he remains an AMANAH ordinary member.

Dato' Sri Ikmal Hisham Bin Abdul Aziz is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tanah Merah since May 2013. He served as the Deputy Minister of Defence for the second term in the Barisan Nasional (BN) administration under former Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and former Minister Hishammuddin Hussein from August 2021 to the collapse of the BN administration in November 2022 and the first term in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration under former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and former Minister Ismail Sabri from March 2020 to the collapse of the PN administration in August 2021. He is a member of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), a component party of the PN and formerly Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalitions and was a member of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), a component party of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition. After the defeat of BN to PH in 2018 general election, he resigned from UMNO in 2018 and joined BERSATU in 2019.

Suhaizan bin Kayat is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Pulai since September 2023. He served as Political Secretary to the Ministers of Domestic Trade and Living Costs Salahuddin Ayub and Armizan Mohd Ali from January to December 2023 and Speaker of the Johor State Legislative Assembly from June 2018 to January 2022. He is a member, State Vice Chairman of Johor and Division Chief of Pulai of the National Trust Party (AMANAH), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition.

George Hiew Vun Zin is a Malaysian politician who has served as the Member of Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Karamunting since May 2018. He served as the State Assistant Minister of Housing and Local Government of Sabah in the Heritage Party (WARISAN) administration under former Chief Minister Shafie Apdal and former Minister Jaujan Sambakong from May 2018 to the collapse of the WARISAN administration in September 2020. He is a member of the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN), a component party of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition and was a former member of WARISAN as well as the Democratic Action Party (DAP), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions. He was also a former Member of the Supreme Council and Division Chief of Sandakan of WARISAN. In 2016, he left DAP for WARISAN and on 4 March 2023, he left WARISAN for GAGASAN to support a local party after WARISAN declared to become a national party. He become a Divisional Chairperson of Karamunting of Gagasan Rakyat in 2023, and also become one of the GRS main leaders in Sandakan.

Jennifer Lasimbang is a Malaysian politician who served as the State Assistant Minister of Education and Innovation of Sabah in the Heritage Party (WARISAN) state administration under former Chief Minister Shafie Apdal and Member of the Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Moyog from May 2018 to September 2020. She is a member of WARISAN. She is also the sister of Jannie Lasimbang, Chairperson of the Rural Development Corporation (KPD) of Sabah and MLA for Kapayan.

Arifin bin Asgali is a Malaysian politician who has been the State Assistant Minister. He served as the Member of Sabah State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Sekong from May 2018 until September 2020. He was a former member of the Sabah Heritage Party (WARISAN) from 2016 until 2023. Since 2024, He currently a member of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah or better known as "Gagasan Rakyat", a component party of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition.

Nor Azrina binti Surip is a Malaysian politician who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Merbok from May 2018 to November 2022. She is a member and the State Chairwoman of Kedah of the People's Justice Party (PKR), a component party of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) and formerly Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 amendment to the Constitution of Malaysia</span> Constitutional amendment

The Constitution (Amendment) Act 2022 amended the Constitution of Malaysia to restore Sabah and Sarawak as equal partners to Malaya in Malaysia. This was intended to give effect to the Malaysia agreement of 1963. It was passed unanimously by the Dewan Rakyat on 14 December 2021 and came into effect after receiving royal assent on 11 February 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Johor state election</span> State election in Malaysia

The 2022 Johor state election, formally the 15th Johor general election, took place on 12 March 2022. The election was to elect 56 members of the 15th Johor State Legislative Assembly. The previous assembly was dissolved on 22 January 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Syed Saddiq</span> Malaysian politician (born 1992)

Syed Saddiq bin Syed Abdul Rahman Al-Sagoff is a Malaysian politician who has been serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Muar since May 2018. In 2023, he was found guilty of criminal breach of trust and money laundering.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Penang state election</span>

The 15th Penang state election was held on 12 August 2023 to elect the State Assembly members of the 15th Penang State Legislative Assembly, the legislature of the Malaysian state of Penang.

References

  1. ↑ "About Us". UNDI18. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  2. ↑ Buku Harapan (Pakatan Harapan Manifesto for the 2018 General Election) (PDF). Pakatan Harapan. p. 47.
  3. ↑ "About Us". UNDI18. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  4. ↑ "History made as Undi 18 Bill passed with bipartisan support". The Malay Mail . 16 July 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  5. ↑ "Malaysia: Bill Reducing Voting Age to 18 Passed". Library of Congress. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  6. ↑ "History made as Undi 18 Bill passed with bipartisan support". The Malay Mail . 16 July 2019. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  7. ↑ "Johor approves amendment to state constitution to implement Undi18". New Straits Times . 6 January 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  8. ↑ "DAP warns of constitutional problem over Undi18 in Johor". Free Malaysia Today . 17 June 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  9. ↑ "Kedah state assembly passes amendment to allow Undi-18". New Straits Times . 18 November 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  10. ↑ "Kelantan sedia laksana Undi 18". Berita Harian . 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  11. ↑ "Melaka lowers age for elected reps to 18". Free Malaysia Today . 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  12. ↑ "DUN Negeri Sembilan lulus turun had umur calon ADUN". Utusan Malaysia . 2 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  13. ↑ "Pahang lulus pindaan had umur ADUN kepada 18 tahun". Astro AWANI. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  14. ↑ "Perak lulus belia 18 tahun jadi calon ADUN". Berita Harian . 27 October 2021. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  15. ↑ "Perlis lulus had umur 18 tahun pengundi, calon pilihan raya". The Malaysian Insight . 10 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  16. ↑ "Pulau Pinang lulus usia 18 tahun calon kerusi DUN". Berita Harian . 1 September 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  17. ↑ "Had umur mengundi, jadi calon pilihan raya di Sabah diturunkan kepada usia 18 tahun". Astro AWANI. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  18. ↑ "Sarawak DUN passes bill to lower age to become YBs, clearly defines state residents". Astro AWANI. 12 November 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "Selangor passes bill to lower eligible age for election candidate". MalaysiaKini . 6 December 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  20. ↑ "T'ganu passes enactment to lower candidacy age". BERNAMA . 12 August 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  21. ↑ "EC delays Undi18 to next year, youths under 21 likely can't vote in GE15". MalaysiaKini . 25 March 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  22. ↑ "Undi 18: Lebih 200 peserta berhimpun aman, 'bersila' atas jalan selama 18 minit". Astro AWANI. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  23. ↑ "Undi18: Youths win leave for judicial review of EC's decision to delay lowering voting age". The Malay Mail . 17 June 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  24. ↑ "Undi18: Kuching High Court orders Federal Govt to implement lowering of voting age by Dec 31". The Star . 17 June 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  25. ↑ "Undi18: Kuching High Court orders Federal Govt to implement lowering of voting age by Dec 31". The Star . 17 June 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  26. ↑ "Undi18 gazetted, takes effect on Dec 15". Free Malaysia Today . 1 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  27. ↑ "Reflections on Parlimen Digital". The Star . 12 July 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  28. ↑ "VoteMalaysia brings home 35,092 postal ballots, says effective system must be implemented by EC soon". The Malay Mail . 19 November 2022. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.