Why has Perikatan Nasional delayed the implementation of Undi18?

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Perikatan Nasional Has Delayed Undi18 Implementation Due to Unaddressed Youth Unemployment and Avoidance of Young Voters

The Perikatan Nasional (PN) government has delayed the implementation of Undi18, the lowered voting age to 18, primarily due to its failure to address disproportionate youth unemployment. This delay, pushed back to after September 2022, is also seen as a strategic move to avoid facing voters aged 18 to 20 in a potential early general election.
Youth Unemployment Remains a Significant Concern

A critical factor cited for the postponement of Undi18 is the persistent issue of youth unemployment. While the overall unemployment rate stands at 4.8%, the rate for youths aged 15 to 24 is significantly higher at 13.9%, representing 347,600 unemployed individuals. This stark disparity has not been adequately addressed by the government, leading to accusations that the delay is a consequence of this unaddressed problem.
Abandoned Job Creation Program Highlighted

Furthermore, the Perikatan Nasional government is criticised for abandoning the Malaysia@Work program, an initiative previously proposed under the Pakatan Harapan administration. This program was designed to create approximately 650,000 jobs, requiring an estimated RM13 billion in funding. The program aimed to provide financial aid to employees and incentives to employers to stimulate job creation, a measure that could have significantly impacted the youth unemployment figures.
Government Urging Youth to Accept Below-Minimum Wage Jobs

Adding to the criticism, ministers have reportedly urged young people to accept employment that pays below the RM1,200 minimum wage. This stance has been condemned as a betrayal of workers' rights and an illegal defence of sub-minimum wage practices. The failure to secure adequate employment opportunities and the encouragement of accepting lower wages further underscore the perceived lack of commitment to addressing the economic challenges faced by young Malaysians.
Undi18 Passed Unanimously in Parliament

Despite these concerns, it is important to note that Parliament had unanimously voted to amend the Federal Constitution in November 2019 to lower the voting age from 21 to 18. The law was initially scheduled for implementation in July 2021 but has not yet been gazetted. The Election Commission has indicated that the earliest possible implementation date is September 2022, a timeline that Lim Guan Eng suggests is deliberately extended to disenfranchise younger voters.

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Why has Perikatan Nasional delayed the implementation of Undi18?

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