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Following the amendment of limitations being based on one’s age,
Malaysia’s electoral system to allow citizenship and criminal record.
18-year-olds to participate in elections, a
talk regarding Malaysia’s electoral system
was hosted for all Senior Middle 3 students Following that, Mr. Chou
of Kuen Cheng High School on the 16th of recommended an eBook titled Dong Zong
April. The host of the talk was Mr. Walter Election Education Book to the students
Chou, who is a teacher and the Assistant and told them to read 4 specific pages before
Head of the Academic Department at Hin continuing the talk. He gave students a few
Civic Hua High School. simple questions to answer regarding the
contents of the pages. It was then explained
that in Malaysia, normal citizens would
Education: The talk started at 10:30 a.m. with actually vote for representatives of different
Mr. Chou introducing himself along with political parties in different regions, and
A Talk on an interaction platform named Slido that those representatives would be the ones
the participants would have to use in order voting for the Prime Minister in parliament.
to answer questions or give their opinions. To become the prime minister, one would
Malaysia's He then gave a brief introduction on have to acquire the majority vote in
electoral systems by sharing a video on the parliament. Mr. Chou also mentioned that
Electoral historical moment where every Member of there are 3 different types of representatives
Parliament (MP) in Malaysia unanimously in Malaysia, namely Members of
agreed to lower the voting age to 18 instead Parliament, State Representatives and City
System of 21, meaning that those of age 18 and Representatives, each with different rights
above would be able to vote and even run and responsibilities.
for parliament. The reason it was such a
Reported by: memorable moment is because with the Moving on, Mr. Chou explained why
Khoo Xin Yi Sr1ScA addition of 18 to 20-year-old citizens, democracy is important. With democracy,
the number of votes would be increased
by more than 7,000,000. With that, Mr. citizens would be given the chance to
Chou asked for the students’ opinion on vote for a better government and a better
the matter. Some students stated that they country. Mr. Chou also brought up the
were excited, happy, clueless, anxious and responsibilities of those who organize the
even unfazed. elections, saying that they must check for
those who are eligible to vote. Elections are
held once every 5 years and Mr. Chou stated
Mr. Chou went on to mention the that the zones in which citizens should vote
history of voting. From Ancient Greece are based on their address. When voting,
to 20th Century Europe and all the way citizens vote for both one Member of
to the countries in our modern world, Parliament and one State Representative.
the electoral systems around the world In terms of the voting process, Mr. Chou
have taken great changes. However, there talked about the few steps citizens have to
are still limitations to who can vote, with take when going to vote. Citizens have to
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