Fresh faces to woo young voters

PETALING JAYA: Political parties are banking on more fresh faces in the coming state polls to appeal to new voters who want change, according to an expert.

Dr Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar, a political analyst at the International Islamic University Malaysia, said the trend of having new faces as candidates is a response to the growing demands and expectations of voters, especially new ones.

“Fielding more fresh candidates is an indication that a party is willing to embrace change.

“Also, new faces won’t have much baggage and could win support from the younger voters,” he said when contacted yesterday.

He added that political parties are looking at these new candidates to better articulate a stronger policy platform during the polls to win votes.

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“New voters may be more discerning and willing to listen to offers that can improve governance.

“The new candidates must be able to convince this group of voters and the fence-sitters,” he said.

Political science expert Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the decision by parties to rely on a larger pool of fresh candidates is based on previous poll results.

“Barisan Nasional is going with more new faces in the coming state elections due to the success it had in the Melaka and Johor state elections, which saw more than 60% new candidates.

“This helped attract support from new and first-time voters,” he said when contacted yesterday.In the Melaka state election in 2021, Barisan took the bold move of fielding 85% fresh faces, while the Johor state polls saw the coalition go with 70% first-time candidates.

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On Friday, Barisan announced a candidate line-up comprising 63% new candidates for the coming six state elections.

Sivamurugan said Perikatan Nasional is also likely to rely on fresh faces following its success in the 15th General Election (GE15).

“Perikatan’s first-time candidates delivered several surprise wins, such as in the contest for Tasek Gelugor, Permatang Pauh and Kepala Batas,” he said, adding that sentiments also played a role in their wins due to the green wave.

Universiti Sains Malaysia senior lecturer Dr Azmil Mohd Tayeb said the reliance on new faces by Pakatan Harapan and Barisan is aimed at rejuvenating the coalitions while countering Perikatan’s green wave in GE15.

He added that Perikatan is also likely to stick to its GE15 winning formula of fielding fresh faces.

“Perikatan will keep this formula as well as they want to show that it is more than just about Islam and Malay sentiments.

“There are also different reasons why both coalitions are using first-time candidates in the coming polls.

“For Pakatan and Barisan, it is about the gradual revamping of their parties.

“As for Perikatan, it is about looking professional and technocratically capable,” he added.