PETALING JAYA: With more young voters expected at the Johor election, party manifestos should appeal to this group and include issues they can relate to such as job opportunities, their well-being and their future, say experts.
They say efforts to secure their interest and future should also be through younger and relatable candidates.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said parties need to consider the real issues affecting young voters in order to be appealing.
“They need to offer a stable government, create good economic indicators and safeguard the interests of the young.
“Parties should also guarantee continuity of education and opportunities for young talents to enter industries,” he said.
Mazlan also said the latest political trend considers young candidates as an important element in attracting voters’ support, and opined that the ideal age range for youth candidates are those between 25 and 40 years old.
Sunway University political scientist Prof Wong Chin Huat also said parties’ manifestos would likely make specific appeals to attract young voters.
“One issue concerning youth is the rising cost of housing. I look forward to seeing if any party offers policy measures for cheaper house prices,” he said.
While parties usually promise “the moon and the stars” in their manifesto, Wong cautioned the need for clear positioning on important issues that they stand for, beyond the bread and butter issues.
This includes their position on the environment, social inclusion, integrity, good governance as well as democracy, he said.
“Cliché campaign messages that are based on handout and patronage won’t appeal to sophisticated voters,” Wong opined.
According to the Election Commission (EC) as of May 31, almost half or 47.6% of Johor’s 2.73 million voters are under the age of 40. More than 710,000 voters are those aged below 30, commonly known as Gen Z.
