States will have to amend age limit for reps as it is still 21 not 18, says Liew

De facto law minister Liew Vui Keong.

PUTRAJAYA: The eligibility to be a state assemblyman is still 21 years although the Constitution Bill (Amendment) 2019 has been approved in Parliament.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong said the amendment that gave 18-year-old citizens the right to vote and become candidates was confined to the Dewan Rakyat.

Therefore, he said, state governments were advised to amend the provisions relating to the age limit of candidates in the state constitution or their respective state laws, in line with federal law and efforts to empower the young in the democratic process.

On July 16, 211 of the 222 members of the Dewan Rakyat voted for the amendment, which was equivalent to 95% of the total support.

On July 25, 47 of the 67 members of the Senate were present to vote, which was equivalent to 70.14%.

Any constitutional amendment requires two-thirds support in the Dewan Rakyat and the Senate.

“The government would like to record its sincere gratitude and thanks to MPs who supported the amendment,” Liew said.

However, he added, it was regrettable that 20 members of the Senate had failed to appear at the amendment process. - FMT