KUALA LUMPUR (July 4): The government has tabled for first reading the proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution to reduce the voting age to 18, from 21 previously.

During his speech in parliament today, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman proposed to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof for the second and third reading to be concluded before the current parliamentary session ends on July 18.

The constitutional amendment requires the support of at least two thirds of Dewan Rakyat members of parliament (MPs), or 148 out of 222 MPs.

As those who wish to vote in elections still have to register with the Electoral Commission, the opposition bloc decided to table their private member's bill that proposed automatic voter registration for those that have reached the age of 18, alongside reducing the minimum age of electoral candidates to 18. 

Speaking to reporters at Parliament lobby today, former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak (BN-Pekan) said UMNO was in support of the move to reduce the voting age 'in principle', provided the automatic voter registration and the lower candidacy age are put in place.

However, he shared his personal concern that schools "should not be a battleground for political parties", while making caveat that it is acceptable for universities to be such battlegrounds. 

He also shared concern over the maturity of 18-year-old voters as they, in his view, can easily be swayed, resulting in more volatility in Malaysian politics. 

Najib, who is undergoing Court trial on alleged fund misappropriation through SRC International Sdn Bhd, added he would apply for leave from his current trial to attend Parliament for voting of this Constitution amendment. However, he noted it is ultimately up to the Attorney General to approve such matters.