I AGREE with PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim that the addition of 18 to 21 years group of voters (thanks to Undi18) might make difference to the outcome of the Johor state elections.
With the addition of this group, there will be 2.5 million registered voters in Johor alone. The new demographic would roughly constitute about 750,000 voters, about slightly over 30% of the voters.
By any standards, this is a significant chunk that no political parties can ignore. What is more in the context of stiff electoral competition and challenge in the state.
It can be said that if the three coalitions; Barisan Nasional (BN), Perikatan Nasional (Perikatan) and Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) can get the majority of young voters on their side, the ultimate victory might be within their grasp.
But unfortunately, there has been no systematic study done in Malaysia as how the young voters will decide in the elections. All we have is the traditional wisdom that says that young voters, being anti-establishment, might prefer to vote for the opposition parties or coalition.
Again I must reiterate, there is no concrete data on this for Johor, and more so in the Malaysian context. It is simply assumed that young voters might think differently than the older ones when it comes to voting.
However, since young voters are from different ethnic and class backgrounds, these factors must be taken into account in predicting their voting behaviour.
For example, just because Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) is composed of young leaders and potentially seen as beneficiaries of the emergence of the new group of voters, youth support cannot be taken for granted.
Electoral behaviour is a complicated field of study, it may even defy simple and convenient predictions. However, the very fact that this young group has emerged is enough to send shivers down the spine of old leaders who have been around for decades.
Even if the young voters do not make a real difference, their presence is definitely good for the country. They have the great potential to learn and undo the mistakes of the past.
Right-thinking needed now, more than ever!
And even if they are undecided in the Johor state election, they are more geared for change, I mean meaningful one, than the older groups of voters.
The Undi18 move has come at an appropriate time in Malaysian politics. Young and energetic voters can see for themselves the extent of corruption, financial misdeeds and scandals in the country.
More importantly, young voters wanting change must ask themselves whether the race and religious based parties can bring about real and meaningful change for Malaysia.
In a nutshell, youngsters must decide in the coming Johor state election whether they are simply going to be passengers in the political process or game changers.
It is not enough to just be young voters but one must also be aware of what is happening and engage in the right kind of thinking to rid the society of prevailing menaces, especially those masquerading as ethnic and religious champions.
So are the young voters prepared for this challenge? Will they have the tenacity to translate this into something meaningful for all Malaysians? – Feb 2, 2022.
Ramasamy Palanisamy is the state assemblyperson for Perai. He is also Deputy Chief Minister II of Penang.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
