Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the government will discuss with the Election Commission on whether there is a need to amend the Federal Constitution to allow Malaysian students abroad to vote.
“If there is a need to allow students studying abroad to vote, we will look into it and discuss with the Election Commission,” he said in response to a question raised by a student during a dialogue at the 5th Annual Malaysian Student Leaders Summit here today, after delivering his closing speech.
“We have to get a two-thirds majority before such an amendment can take place. We will look into it and maybe get the support from the opposition for the two-third majority,” he said. He said the government was committed to electoral reforms and addressing the issue of phantom voters, and that one of the steps taken was to introduce the biometric system.
The two-day summit organized by the United Kingdom and Eire Council (UKEC) of Malaysian Students was attended by about 1,000 Malaysian university student leaders from local and foreign universities abroad.
The summit themed “Piecing Together The Malaysian Puzzle” saw dialogues with prominent national figures from various fields, on topics related to nation building and the development of Malaysian youth Sunday.
Among the speakers were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala, Parti Keadilan Rakyat Vice President Nurul Izzah Anwar and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.
Source: Government, EC To Discuss Need For Constitution Amendment To Enable Students Abroad To Vote – Najib