For The Old Why Some Malay Youth See No Point To Politics

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Some Malay youth see politics as “old people’s business”, an opinion aired in the wake of a study by independent pollster Merdeka Center showing that only 40% of the group would turn out to vote if the 15th general election (GE15) is held in the near future.
(MalaysiaNow) – Sitting at a fast food restaurant in the city, they said politics in Malaysia was only for “the old”, adding that the voice of the youth had in any case been sidelined.
Wan Ahhyat, 19, said the approach taken by many politicians was also outdated and unsuited to the lifestyle of the younger generation. Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he said even some of the calls made by younger leaders were out of step with the priorities of the youth.
He gave the example of DAP’s Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali who recently urged the people to gather in protest of the rising cost of living.
He said a new approach is needed as these days, the youth spend most of their time fixed to their screens.
“It’s funny and a waste of time and money,” he said of the call for mass rallies.
“I guarantee no one young will turn out. If we attend a protest, we need to take leave from work. This means that we don’t earn anything and our hardships will only increase.
“It would be a different story if they paid us to go. Then the streets would be filled with youth protesting.”
Merdeka Center had said that the 40% figure for youth who would turn out to vote was low as the group comprises about 58% of the electorate as a whole.
It also found that only 33% of Malay youth were interested in politics, with trust in government administration at about 69%.
The same trend appears to play out on social media, with very few from the group actively engaging in conversations about politics and current affairs.
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