KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 — The government should introduce the teaching of Malaysia's election in schools to strengthen understanding of the system and democracy in this country, the National Union of the Teaching Profession (NUTP) reportedly suggested.
Utusan Malaysia reported NUTP president Aminuddin Awang as saying the subject could be taught at the upper secondary level, starting at Form Four, to prepare potential voters.
"There is no need to rush to completely overhaul the education system. The upper secondary level is enough to slowly understand the meaning of democracy, awareness of responsibility and patriotism.
"We also do not want them to be influenced by unhealthy elements, without being able to make their own analysis of the issues at play. Sometimes they do not have a solid understanding and are easily influenced by what is being said in campaigns.
"If there is a basic understanding, they can make their own analysis of what happened because they already understand how the democratic process works," he said as reported by Utusan Malaysia.
The Malay daily recently reported that young voters, especially those aged 18, need to be given exposure and strengthen their understanding of the country's democratic processes and politics, instead of being denied the right to vote in elections.
Meanwhile, Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai said the move will enable them to understand make accurate decisions when casting their votes in the election.
Malaysia United Democratic Alliance (Muda) president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman suggested that election simulations be trialed at schools.
"Hold an election for school superintendent and class leader because this opens up space for teachers to educate their students regarding the selection of authoritative leaders.
"Subjects to understand the constitution and the Rukunegara also need to be introduced. These children need to be informed about politics closely related to them, including issues of climate change, education or job opportunities," he said.
Syed Saddiq said the implementation of the simulation should not be based on partisanship so that students are not indoctrinated to favour any political party.
Adam Adli Abdul Halim, PKR Youth chief and also deputy minister of the Youth and Sports Ministry, said the cultivation of mature young voters should be the ultimate goal.
"For Undi18, we have to see what the goal is, what do we want to achieve, if voter awareness, involvement in the election can be achieved through topics in subjects at school.
"If the goal of the Umdi18 is to reach the maturity of voters, rational and appropriate critical thinking in making that decision needs to be honed at a lower level, it is not just a topic related to elections or politics, but it is related to our entire education system.
"And it is not only dependent on the subject of history, it can be applied in other subjects such as civic education and so on," he said.
Based on the Election Commission website, a total of 1,393,549 voters aged 18 to 20 participated in GE15.
