KOTA ISKANDAR: Johor has started steps to lower the eligible age of electoral candidates for state seats from 21 to 18 years old.

       The Johor state assembly has amended and approved the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Johor 1895 (Amendment) Enactment 2021 to enable the change.

       The amendment to Clause 16 Section 2 of the Johor State Constitution was tabled by Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad during a special assembly sitting yesterday.

       “The empowerment of youth should not focus solely on the aspect of democratisation. But it should be more holistic and inclusive, encompassing economic empowerment, intellectual empowerment and the spirit of volunteerism in an organised and continuous manner.

       “It should go hand in hand with the responsibility to elect or become an elected representative as early as 18 years old,” he added.

       Hasni also said that the state government believed that the country’s democracy would be healthier and progressive.

       “It is hoped that this amendment can provide excitement in the stage of democracy in the country and Johor in particular.

       “May our democracy not be filled with mere perception games, but fuelled by a culture of debate of mature yet constructive ideas for the good of all parties,” he said.

       The amendment was debated by Hahasrin Hashim (BN-Panti) and K. Raven Kumar (BN-Tenggaroh) who represented the government block while Andrew Chen Kah Eng (PH-Stulang) and Mohammad Taqiuddin Cheman (PH-Pulai Sebatang) represented the Opposition.

       The amendment was then approved unanimously by all assemblymen who attended the meeting.

       State assembly Speaker Suhaizan Kayat said the enactment shall come into force on a date to be appointed by the state government by notification in the gazette.

       The amendment was in line with the passing of the Bill to amend the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age and the eligible age of electoral candidates from 21 to 18 in 2019.

       Earlier, Suhaizan expressed the august house’s condolences on the passing of former mentri besar and Kempas assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian on Dec 21.