JOHOR, Malaysia: Younger Malaysian voters angered by the 1MDB corruption scandal played a key role in ending the six-decade rule of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) back in 2018. Ahead of another national election, there’s a lot more of them — and they appear more worried about the economy.
Lowering the voting age to 18 from 21 was one of the key accomplishments of the reformist government that replaced Umno before collapsing in early 2020 amid internal bickering. The legislation finally took effect late last year after Umno regained the premiership and is again strengthening its hold on power.
