(Left) Rowena and Nurul.
KOTA KINABALU: The youth in Sabah are excited to vote, and are learning about the importance their vote plays in national politics.
An example of this new awareness is 23-year-old Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student Rowena Vannesa Roger, who said that she was not aware of the importance of voting before Undi18 was passed - although she always felt excited about elections.
She said her focus had been about school and university but now with more awareness brought about through social and news media platforms, she has started learning about politics and voting.
"Through awareness programmes, we were guided on how to choose our future leader.
"That person has to be responsible and able to help the people in various aspects," she said when met at a programme on the importance of voting in Putatan, Saturday (Nov 12) night.
Rowena said she now knows that as youth, they too have a voice and can determine the future of the nation.
"The right leaders will see that we as youth will not be bogged down by socio-economic burdens through proper governance and the implementation of policies," she said.
Similarly, 21-year-old Nurul Shafizah Hanff said that most youth chose to keep quiet prior to Undi18.
"Now, we are more aware of our right to voice out what we feel and how we too can determine the direction of our country," said the UMS student.
She said their aspirations and concerns are being taken into consideration as lawmakers draw up policies to develop the nation.
Meanwhile, incumbent Putatan MP Husaini Sahari said leaders must start putting the voices and aspirations of youth into account when drawing up policies and in their bid to woo voters.
"We must listen to their aspirations because the youth have ideas on how they wish to see development, economic growth and job opportunities, among other things," said the PKR vice president, who hosted the programme.
He said the younger generation will determine the direction of this country, and their votes now play an important role in determining the government.
Husaini - who is defending the Putatan parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election (GE15) - said with the automatic registration of voters and the Undi18 in place, it is more vital now to start guiding youth on voting.
Asked if there was a risk that the youth would disrupt the right leaders from actually winning and governing the country by choosing a 'wrong leader', he said this possibility cannot be denied.
"That is also why awareness programmes and election machinery must play their proper roles in helping them make their voting choices," he said.
