JOHOR will amend its state constitution soon to allow those aged 18 and above to compete for state seats in an election.

       Mentri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad said a special state assembly sitting would be held as soon as possible to amend Clause 16, Section Two of the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Johor 1895 to be in line with the amendment made to the Federal Constitution.

       “The Election Commission has suggested that states amend their constitutions to lower the minimum age of state seat candidates to 18 years old to be in line with Section 5 of the Eighth Schedule of the Federal Constitution, which is an essential provision.

       “If the Federal Government amends the essential provision, it is then the responsibility of the state government to ensure that the amendment is followed.

       “As such, in order to adhere to the Federal Constitution and to unify the conditions for both parliamentary and state candidates, an amendment will be done to the Undang-Undang Tubuh Kerajaan Negeri Johor 1895 to lower the minimum age of candidates,” he added.

       Hasni said this in his winding-up speech during the state assembly sitting in Iskandar Puteri yesterday.

       On Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said all mentris besar and chief ministers had agreed to make the necessary amendments to their state constitutions to allow individuals aged 18 and above to stand as candidates in a general election or a by-election.

       In 2019, an amendment was made to the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age from 21 to 18.

       In addition, the Undi18 movement included amendments to lower the eligible age of electoral candidates to 18 as well as to enable automatic registration of Malaysian voters by the Election Commission.