KUALA LUMPUR: MCA Youth has set up an Undi18 special task force that will work with the government in its implementation.

       MCA Youth chief Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting said Undi18 will give more Malaysians the right to vote and to fulfil their responsibilities as citizens in a democratic country, adding that the results of a general election will also reflect the spirit of the Malaysian Family.

       “It is extremely meaningful that the responsibility is given to young voters so that they would be more interested in what happens in the country, especially in the political arena,” she said during her speech at the MCA Youth’s 57th AGM on Saturday (Dec 18).

       With this, Wong said the Youth wing has established the Undi18 MCA Youth special task force that will be led by the wing’s legal bureau chief Ryan Ho, civil society movement president Heng Zhi Li and central committee member Kong Suet Ping.

       They will be tasked to work with the government throughout the implementation process of Undi18.

       “The special task force will liaise with youth groups, gather information and to have a two-way communication with the decision-making unit from the government.

       “MCA Youth in each state will also establish its own special task force to supervise and work together to ensure the implementation of Undi18 in each state runs smoothly,” she said.

       With Undi18, Wong believed that there will be a 40% increase of young voters.

       As such, she said there should be more young candidates from MCA Youth to contest in the next general election to attract the support of younger people.

       The implementation of Undi18 and automatic voter registration took effect on Dec 15. It was gazetted on Dec 1.

       Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who could not attend the AGM, gave a pre-recorded speech.

       Asyraf said as young leaders who are the main stewards that strengthen Barisan Nasional, they have to work hard.

       He applauded the party’s recent success in the Melaka state election that had contributed to the coalition’s landslide win.

       He noted that the experience and lessons learnt in Melaka shows that they have to work as a team.

       He added that they have to strengthen and evoke the fighting spirit as a family in Barisan that has to be strengthened to face the 15th General Election that can be called at any time.

       “It is important that Barisan strengthens the family spirit together with our friends in MCA, MIC and PBRS. This is a manifestation of stability that we can offer for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people,” he said.