Why does PAS president Hadi oppose lowering the voting age to 18?

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PAS President Hadi Awang's Opposition to Lowering the Voting Age to 18

PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang has expressed support for the delayed implementation of allowing 18-year-olds to vote, arguing that Malaysia should not adopt Western democratic concepts that base voting rights solely on age. Instead, he posits that maturity, which can be attained at any age, should be the primary criterion for enfranchisement. Hadi's stance aligns with the Election Commission's (EC) decision to postpone the implementation of lowering the voting age, a provision that was part of a 2019 constitutional amendment.
Arguments Against Age-Based Enfranchisement

Hadi Awang's opposition stems from a belief that voting eligibility should be determined by an individual's maturity rather than their chronological age. He has articulated that the Western model of democracy, which often sets a fixed age for suffrage, is not necessarily suitable for Malaysia. This perspective suggests a concern that at 18, individuals may not possess the necessary maturity to make informed voting decisions, regardless of their legal age.
Support for Delayed Implementation by the Election Commission

The PAS president has indicated his agreement with the Election Commission's (EC) timeline for introducing the lower voting age. The EC has stated that the enfranchisement of 18-year-olds will only take effect after September 1, 2022. This delay, according to Hadi's expressed views, allows for a more considered approach to voter eligibility, prioritising the assessment of maturity.
International Voting Age Comparisons

While Hadi Awang questions the universal applicability of Western democratic norms regarding voting age, it is noteworthy that a significant majority of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states, including Malaysia, have set the voting age at 18. Some OIC nations, such as Iran, have even experimented with lower voting ages in the past. Globally, several countries, including Austria, Brazil, and Scotland, have allowed citizens as young as 16 to vote in national elections, with studies suggesting young voters can be as capable as older cohorts in articulating beliefs and making informed decisions.

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Why does PAS president Hadi oppose lowering the voting age to 18?

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