Ismail: Do not sideline students supporting the opposition
PARLIAMENT | Ismail Sabri Yaakob today urged the government to give its word that students who support the opposition will not be discriminated against.
During the debate on the constitutional amendment bill to lower the voting age, the opposition leader raised concerns over potential discrimination against 18-year-olds...
PARLIAMENT | Ismail Sabri Yaakob today urged the government to give its word that students who support the opposition will not be discriminated against.
During the debate on the constitutional amendment bill to lower the voting age, the opposition leader raised concerns over potential discrimination against 18-year-olds.
The bill, which will allow them to be automatically registered as voters, will apply to Form Six, college and matriculation students.
Ismail Sabri said this could turn schools in particular into tense environments, especially when elections are around the corner.
"Currently, there is obvious discrimination against teachers who are involved in politics and those who openly support the opposition. This is the practice (in schools and universities)," the Bera MP claimed.
"So, will the students who openly pledge to support the opposition face pressure?
"Will they face discrimination when they apply to study at the university or apply for a PTPTN loan?"
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Ismail Sabri added that the government must pledge to come out with guidelines on how to stop students being sidelined for their political inclinations.
The opposition bloc – BN, PAS and GPS – had pledged to support the constitutional amendment to lower the qualifying age of voters and elected representatives to 18, as well as to introduce automatic voter registration.
Ismail Sabri himself was seen in the Parliament lobby holding a placard supporting the lowering voting age.
In the Dewan, Takiyuddin Hassan (PAS-Kota Bharu) said the new bill would see overall turnout in elections decrease, and asked if the government is considering making it compulsory for voters to cast their ballots.
Takiyuddin suggested that those who cannot appear at polling centres due to work or other commitments be given alternatives to become early voters.
"I support this bill and (you have) 18 votes from PAS," said the PAS secretary-general.
Despite expressing his coalition's support for the bill, Fadillah Yusof (GPS-Petrajaya) said the education system in place today does not equip youths to become mature electors.
"Some say there is lack of democratic literacy among our youth," he noted.
Fadillah called on the government to ensure that students are given a political education – but stressed that this should be based on policies, and not the lies and slander spreading on social media.
"I am saying that education on the democratic process should start now. Include it in the curriculum," he said.
"The Election Commission and Education Ministry should come out with guidelines in schools and universities to determine the dos and don'ts."
