GE15: Malaysian youth equip themselves with info before casting their first vote

According to the Election Commission, there are 1.4 million voters aged between 18 and 20 this GE15. Photo: The Star/Azhar Mahfof

With the voting age lowered from 21 to 18 in time for the upcoming 15th General Election (GE15), many Malaysian youths are excited about the opportunity to cast their vote and play a role in formulating their future.

There are 1.4 million voters aged between 18 and 20 who are automatically registered to vote on Nov 19.

However, most of them are still new to politics and elections, and have been equipping themselves with knowledge and information about the importance of voting and who to vote for.

One example is Foofieado Juan Morgan, a 22-year-old student from Sabah currently studying in Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).

“(Social media) is a quick source but I am mildly influenced by it. I prefer to be careful not to make my judgement too easily.

“I’d rather see what they have done in parliament and start from there but it (a Twitter account) does help,” he shares.

Foofieado intends to be careful and not make his judgement too easily when it comes to deciding who to vote for this GE15. Photo: Foofieado Juan Morgan

Khairunadia Badrul Hizam, 20, an undergraduate from Perak, says that she would use Twitter and also do some research in the Internet.

“I will do some reading first, mainly on Twitter, and sometimes I just search their names on Google,” she says.

Khairunadia feels that as crucial as Twitter is as a platform for political reasons, it can also be a double-edged sword.

“I try not to trust social media news 100%. Pro-agenda accounts try to persuade you and it is the same with fake news,” Khairunadia adds.

Kolej Mara Seremban (KMS) student Muhammad Ameer Hazwan Mohamad Iskandar, 18, also voices out a negative aspect of social media.

“People say what comes to mind based on their beliefs and perceptions. I tend to notice that many accounts try to bring down others with prejudice.

Khairunadia will do some research on the Internet before casting her vote. Photo: Khairunadia Badrul Hizam

“Some big accounts on Twitter use #RakyatIngat to remind everyone of the political shambles,” says Norman Hakim Atan, a 23-year-old student from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Shah Alam.

“It gives an outlook of what we should know and expect but it is not good if it brings bias to the table, clouding people’s judgement and decision-making,” he says.

Although it is generally expected that many young people will go out and vote in the upcoming GE15, the actual turnout may be affected by external factors such as floods and transportation costs.

“It is a bit unsettling that the election date is set during the monsoon season. There are those who’d rather focus on dealing with the flood than going to vote,” Muhammad Ameer says.

Muhammad Ameer says if every party offers the same ideology, it can be hard for them to choose who to vote for. Photo: Muhammad Ameer Hazwan Mohamad Iskandar

While most students in Peninsular Malaysia have made plans to go back home to vote, some students from Sabah and Sarawak are unable to return because they can’t afford the expensive airfares.

“I genuinely wanted to go back to vote once I heard there was a price cut in flight tickets, but it was not much. I cannot afford to spend almost a thousand ringgit just to go back and vote and then return to campus,” Afnie Natasha Affandy, a 23-year-old student from UiTM Puncak Alam, says.

Shanice Suresh, 23, from Universiti Malaya, adds that she wishes postal voting is possible for Sabahan and Sarawakian students in Peninsular Malaysia.

Shanice wishes that postal voting is possible for Sabahan and Sarawakian students in Peninsular Malaysia. Photo: Shanice Suresh

“It would make sense for us to use postal voting because we must balance between our studies and going back. I do not think we have the time,” she adds.

Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Sarawak’s Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister, stated that postal voting should be implemented.

“There are many eligible voters from Sarawak in Peninsular Malaysia. To vote, they need to buy expensive flight tickets and take leave.

“Things like this need to be looked into to ensure that citizens can carry out their responsibility,” he said during the Malaysia Inbound Chinese Association’s Sarawak domestic tourism campaign on Oct 17.

Wan Muhammad Addin will look at each candidate's work history, track record, political idealism and approach towards the welfare of the people in deciding who to vote for. Photo: Wan Muhammad Addin Mohd Aidil

Wan Muhammad Addin Mohd Aidil, a 21-year-old undergraduate from Klang, Selangor, says he tends to look at each candidate and see what they have to offer.

“I’ll look at his work history, track record, political idealism and his approach towards the welfare of the people.

“I will judge from my own observations and make informed decisions.”

Syazana Najwa Khairudin, 23, from Melaka, says that young voters tend to look at what is laid out in front of them.

Syazana says voting reluctance is due to the instability of the political scene. Photo: Syazana Najwa Khairudin

“Most of us can agree that voting reluctance in the first place is due to the instability of the political scene. Scandals and corruptions leave a mark.”

Campaigning plays a big role in attracting votes, but young voters must know what they are looking for.

“We want what is best for everyone, not just us. If every party offers the same ideology, it can be hard for us to choose,” Muhammad Ameer says.

Adrian Erl Kusau, 23, Sarawakian undergraduate from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) adds that new faces bring fresh ideas to the campaign, but sentiment and popularity still win you votes.

“If your ideology is the same as others, I would rather vote for someone who is already upholding the idea because they stay true to it,” he says.