UMP organises 18-year-old voting awareness programme

KUANTAN, 15 October 2022 - The world can no longer be compared to the old days and the combination of minds of the youth and the experienced is needed to move forward. 

According to Deputy Finance Minister 1, Yang Berhormat Dato’ Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah, what happens in the future is an important thing to do today.

“This Undi 18 will have an impact in the election of the members of parliament who will form the government.

“The role of the government is crucial in making policies that will bring good returns to society.

“The role of every youth in the election is vital and the number will be counted as the number of votes in the ballot box, which means that if young people do not turn out during the election, it will not be counted,” he said.

He added that young people are very important to fulfil their voting responsibilities and they would make history when the election first features voters under the age of 21. 

“The impact if we do not choose a leader based on clear judgement or performance is enormous.

“The consideration for us to vote must be based on absolute performance, facts and data that we see that have given us the prosperity, well-being, safety and security that we have today,” said Yang Berhormat Dato’ Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah in Undi 18 Forum: What Youth Need to Know?

He is confident that all forum participants are young people who are smart and intelligent and know how to think to come up with the right decisions because the right decision will impact the country positively.

He shared the stage with Vice President 3, Pahang State Youth Council, Marina Misuari and also officiated the Closing Ceremony of the Student Induction Week for the 2022/2023 session.

Nur Amira Badri, Treasurer of the UMP Student Representative Council, moderated the forum.

Marina Misuari believed that it is crucial to have young leaders in the political arena and national development in addition to the boom in technology and social media that are increasingly active.

“Young leaders can attract the interest of young people and can be together with experienced leaders to improve the country’s development and develop the community physically, spiritually and intellectually.

“Many people have less confidence in the young leadership to do the tasks.

“Indeed, we cannot judge someone if they are not given a chance. The benchmark for a leader is the ability to carry out the responsibilities well,” she said.

Apart from that, according to her, we also need to balance the experienced group and the aggressive and enthusiastic youth.

She added that determining a leader requires skills not solely based on emotions.

At the same event, the Chairman of the UMP Board of Directors, Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman delivered the keynote address to new students.

According to him, this event is a platform to give students exposure to better understand Undi 18 expected to be implemented soon.

“In the past, the eligibility to vote was no less than 21 years old, but now the government has approved the eligibility to vote at 18.

“This proves that the government trusts the youth and should not be easily deceived by the spectre of issues based on religion and race but focus on issues based on the leadership framework to advance the country.

“These young people are expected to be able to implement it in the best possible way based on the platform and policies issued by the government and based on solid leadership,” he said.

He also hoped the programme could provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge in the best possible way.

The programme organised by the Institute of Civilisation and Strategic Studies (ITKAS) UMP in collaboration with the Student Affairs and Alumni Department (JHEPA) aims to give exposure to today’s young generation about preparing for elections which is a part of determining the country’s future.

Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Dr. Abdul Aziz also shared the development and success of UMP, which is now 20 years old, with new students as well as UMP’s initiative towards being carbon-free and wanting to achieve the status of a smart and green campus.

More than 1,500 new UMP students participated in Undi 18 Forum: What Youth Need to Know? Giving disclosure about Undi 18. 

The event was also attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & International), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd. Mohd Rosli Hainin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli and Registrar/Chief Operating Officer, Saiful Bahri Ahmad Bakarim.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammad Idris, Corporate Communications Division, Chancellery Department

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology