Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that the Pakatan Harapan government lower the voting age from the current age of 21 to 18.

The Malay Mail quoted him as saying that this would be a manifestation of the government's belief that people were well-educated and could make their own judgement.

"It's worthwhile to consider this […] we follow the practice of other parts of the world," he said.

The paper said the prime minister was referring to countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, Thailand and Indonesia which have adopted 18 as their legal qualifying age to vote.

Mahathir also said the suggestion was in light of the response shown by youths to public initiatives which drove interest and awareness on the importance of voting prior to the polls.

He also remarked that the peaceful change of power to Pakatan Harapan was a display of "people power" done “Malaysian-style”.

Elaborating on this “Malaysian-style”, Mahathir said the demonstration of the people's power here was done quietly but the number of voters the especially young people who went all out to vote was huge.

So much so that even the former government with all the machinery they used including the Election Commission (EC) couldn't prevent their loss, added Mahathir.

He expressed his heartfelt thanks to youngsters and everyone who were part of the "#pulangmengundi" movement which saw Malaysians car-pooling and arranging trips home for strangers to vote.