Home English News Mahathir elated by unanimous support for Constitutional amendment

Mahathir elated by unanimous support for Constitutional amendment

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நாடாளுமன்றத்தில் மகாதீர் (படம் : நன்றி – மலேசிய நாடாளுமன்றம் அகப்பக்கம்)

KUALA LUMPUR — Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was delighted by the overwhelming bipartisan support in the Dewan Rakyat today for proposed amendments to the Federal Constitution to lower the voting age to 18 years.

Describing it as the dawn of a new era, he said it was the first time under the new government that a bill was passed with the agreement of all parties.

“Some have pointed out why we didn’t amend it during my time when I was the prime minister; before I took over it also did not happen…. but this time it happened with the support of all, no one rejected…100 per cent of those present and far higher than the two-thirds support we needed to amend the Constitution,” he told a press conference after winding up the debate on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2019, which was passed with the support of all 211 members present in the House.

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He thanked the opposition for keeping their pledge to support the amendments.

Dr Mahathir said the bipartisan approval was a feat for the people in electing their representatives.

“It shows the maturity of Malaysians because firstly, when there was a government transition, there was no riot or violence of any kind; it was a very smooth change of the government,” he said.
Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said at the same press conference that the victory today belonged to young people who wanted their voice to be better heard in and outside Parliament, adding that issues faced by the group could also be championed more seriously.

Speaking to reporters later, he said: “I hope this bipartisanship will continue. In politics we will have different opinions but it does not mean we are hostile to the point we cannot cooperate for the sake of the people’s agenda.

“That’s why I have to thank and congratulate all…Alhamdulillah we can finally do it together,” he said.