Ex-AG: Disappointing that those who voted for Undi18 now holding it back

 

Tommy Thomas, who presided as attorney-general when the legislation to lower the voting age from 21 to 18 was drafted, said it was disappointing that those who supported the bill are now holding it back after coming to power.

"It is a bit disappointing now that you hear those who unanimously supported the bill, who are now in power, are holding back and not wanting to implement it," he said in a video interview on Advocates: The Podcast.

Parliament approved a constitutional amendment to lower the voting age (Undi18) and allow for automatic voter registration in 2019 but their implementation and amendment of related laws were set for July this year.

However, the Election Commission (EC) announced last week that the implementation of both will be postponed to September 2022.

This means those aged 18 to 20 are unlikely to vote in the 15th general election which is widely expected to be called in August when the current proclamation of emergency expires.

Thomas said Undi18 was the "best thing we ever did" and credited then youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman for securing bipartisan support.

"It is not a novel concept but I think how Syed Saddiq did it was a masterpiece of how laws are to be made because he had to get a two-thirds majority (to amend the Federal Constitution) but he charmed everybody and got 100 percent as unanimous support," he said.

On the flip side, Thomas, who was interviewed about his memoir My Story: Justice in the Wilderness, said the worst failures during his time as attorney-general was not repelling various laws that are now haunting the opposition.

"I think the worst failures were the ones that are haunting the opposition and civil society now - that we didn't address the sedition act, MCMC, fake news.

"There were quite a few controversial bills which were really waiting to be repealed or amended substantially but we didn't do anything.

"And even the death penalty, I would say the death penalty was an opportunity missed," he said.

Former youth and sports minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman

Thomas, in his memoir, had also criticised the Pakatan Harapan government for dithering on law reforms.

He had said Harapan failed to provide leadership on the proposal to repeal the death penalty and instead pandered to their voter base.

In the interview, Thomas said he was not surprised at the over 200 police reports against his memoir which he said came from those who had from the onset opposed his appointment as attorney-general.

However, Thomas said he was surprised by the support the memoir has received.

Asked if he would return as attorney-general if he was given the opportunity, Thomas replied in the negative.

"Coming back a second time? No, no, no - absolutely not. I think (then) prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's return shows how dangerous it is to come back.

"I enjoyed it, but that's it. Move on," he said.

 -Mkini