KUALA LUMPUR (July 1): The High Court here has set Aug 23 to hear the merits of the judicial review sought by 18 Malaysian youths challenging the government's decision to delay the implementation of Undi18, which will lower the voting age to 18 and enable automatic voter registration (AVR).

Justice Datuk Ahmad Kamal Md Shahid set the date for both parties to give their arguments for and against the suit. Last month, the judge allowed the judicial review leave application by the youths.

The youths on behalf of the Undi18 movement filed a judicial review application and named Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, the government and the Election Commission (EC) as respondents.

The judge also ordered the parties to file affidavits in reply on or before July 26. 

Last month, the judge surmised that the decision by the respondents — to delay the implementation of the lowering of the voting age from 21 to 18 years old from July 2021 to after Sept 1, 2022 — is amenable to a judicial review. 

In lawsuits filed via judicial review application — where the courts are asked to review the actions or decisions of a public body or the government — the applicants of the judicial reviews have to seek leave, or permission, from the courts for their suits to proceed and be heard.

The judge also surmised that the decision by the government to delay the implementation had adversely affected the youths, necessitating a judicial review.

On April 2, the youths filed their legal action seeking several court orders arising from the respondents' delay in implementing Undi18.

In the application, the youths sought a declaration that the government's action to delay the enforcement of lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 was irrational, illegal, disproportionate and a form of voter suppression.

The applicants want a declaration that those aged 18 to 20 have a legitimate expectation that they will have the right to vote on or before July 2021.

The youths, aged between 18 and 20, are also seeking a declaration that the decision of the respondents to delay the enforcement of Section 3(a) is a form of voter suppression against those aged 18 to 20 years in July 2021.