JOHOR BAHRU: At one morning engagement session between young people and a political party here recently, a university student stood up and asked a burning question to kick off the event.
Identifying herself as only Bella, the young woman asked what steps the party was taking to combat money politics and corruption, a menace which has been plaguing the country's political arena for decades.
Despite her seemingly cautious and anxious tone, Bella rose with full confidence to ask a question which has also been playing in the minds of many but who lack the courage of this young lady in their search for the answer.
To be sure, this article is not about Bella but how corruption and other pressing issues are being tackled in the eyes of young people, especially among those who have become new voters in Johor following the implementation of Undi18, which includes the automatic registration of voters on reaching the age of 18.
Mujibu Abd Muis, a senior lecturer of the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Negeri Sembilan, said it is crucial for political parties contesting in the Johor state election to understand the sentiment of youths if they wish to win their votes.
He felt that political parties should have a narrative that resonates with the young, so as to encourage them to go out and vote.
Mujibu said another challenge facing political parties is that young people especially those without any political background would be voting based on their perception of issues.
"I can see two matters here, (firstly) an offer or narrative close to the hearts of young people such as education, jobs, new economy creation, internet access, and access to information.
"Secondly, control of perception. This is most important among young people. Some might not have any experience because they were not involved in party politics, so they lack understanding of loyalty and base their decision on perception ... how current issues are being played up in social media and how the government is resolving them," he told Bernama.
Asked whether parties that dominate social media can control the narrative and perception of these young people, Mujibu said the traditional mode of campaigning is still considered the most effective in pulling in votes.
He said the most challenging part of campaigning via social media is that it is an open medium, which means whatever message being conveyed is not limited to any particular group of voters but open to anyone who has access to social media.
"Apart from this, the non-oral aspect of communication in politics is important ... the body language and rhetoric cannot be put to good use in social media. In elections, (party) machinery plays an important role. In the Melaka state election, the machinery was not very effective. Certainly, a campaign needs the personal touch of candidates for voters to get the feel," he said.
In the Johor polls on March 12, the Southern Tigers state will have the distinction of being the first to experience the impact of Undi18, which sees the addition of 749,731 new voters to the electoral rolls in the state.
According to the electoral rolls issued by the Election Commission (EC) on Jan 21, voters aged 18 to 39 comprise 50.12 per cent of the total of 2,597,742 voters in Johor.
Of this 50.12 per cent, 173,177 voters or 6.67 per cent are in the 18-20 age group while 21.86 per cent or 567,768 voters are aged between 21 and 29.
Of the 239 candidates contesting in the Johor polls, eight are in the 21-29 age group while 52 are in the 30-39 age group.
Meanwhile, election analyst Dr G. Manimaran said a section of the new voters might be sceptical and cautious in making their decisions in the Johor polls, due to disappointments with political developments since 2018 and deep concerns over the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"There are two possibilities. One (tendency) for new voters to pick a non-governing party. (But) and two, it depends on how the ruling party and opposition parties come up with pledges that can win the hearts of new voters.
"So, there is a need for a high-impact strategy to attract all groups of society to go out and vote. There must be active participation involving every voter. All stakeholders should play a role in this matter," said Manimaran, a former member of the Electoral Reform Committee.
Describing the Johor polls as an interesting case study, he said it would serve as a reflection of where the politics, new government and new hope as desired by the younger generation was headed.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Feb 28 2022
Mujibu said another challenge facing political parties is that young people especially those without any political background would be voting based on their perception of issues. - BERNAMA
MYStartup lancar program pemecut ketiga perkasa syarikat pemula niaga
MYStartup terus memperkasa syarikat pemula niaga di Malaysia dengan memulakan program pemecut ketiganya MYStartup Accelerator Kohort 3.
Perdagangan Malaysia meningkat 7.1% tahun ke tahun kepada RM690.59 bilion - MITI
Perdagangan Malaysia bagi Januari hingga Mac 2024 mengekalkan trend peningkatan, merekodkan pertumbuhan 7.1 peratus tahun ke tahun kepada RM690.59 bilion, dengan lebihan dagangan RM34.22 bilion.
Keselamatan makanan, perubahan iklim agenda utama Malaysia selaku Pengerusi ASEAN
Memperkukuh keselamatan makanan serantau dan menangani cabaran mendesak perubahan iklim adalah antara agenda utama yang akan diketengahkan Malaysia apabila memegang tampuk Pengerusi ASEAN.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: 'Konflik Israel-Iran bukan urusan kami' - FFC
Misi Break the Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla tetap akan diteruskan sekiranya konflik di antara Israel dan Iran terus meningkat.
KKR harap projek naik taraf 3 jalan di Johor dilaksana tahun depan - Ahmad Maslan
Kementerian Kerja Raya (KKR) berharap kerja naik taraf tiga jalan di Johor dapat dilaksanakan tahun hadapan susulan pertambahan kenderaan menggunakan jalan tersebut.
KDNK Malaysia suku pertama dianggar berkembang 3.9% dipacu sektor perkhidmatan - DOSM
Sektor pembinaan menunjukkan pertumbuhan yang signifikan sebanyak 9.8 peratus berbanding 3.6 peratus pada suku tahun sebelumnya, terutama dipacu oleh subsektor kejuruteraan awam.
MARGMA yakin permintaan sarung tangan getah global meningkat pada 2024
Persatuan Pengeluar Sarung Tangan Getah Malaysia (MARGMA) yakin permintaan global terhadap sarung tangan getah akan meningkat pada 2024.
Letusan Gunung Ruang: Kualiti udara di Sarawak tidak terjejas
Letusan Gunung Ruang di Indonesia tidak menjejaskan kualiti udara di Sarawak.
[LAPOR LANGSUNG] Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Sah! Tiga kapal tetap berlayar, redah laut Mediterranean 24 April ini
FFC mengesahkan tiga kapal yang terlibat dalam misi Break the Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla akan memulakan pelayaran pada 24 April depan.
Freedom Flotilla to Gaza: Sah! Tiga kapal tetap berlayar, redah laut Mediterranean 24 April ini
FFC mengesahkan tiga kapal yang terlibat dalam misi Break the Siege of Gaza Freedom Flotilla akan memulakan pelayaran pada 24 April 2024 bersamaan hari Rabu.