PETALING JAYA: Melaka’s election candidates may find it easy to capture Gen Z’s attention through social media but turning that visibility into trust will require more than online popularity and carefully crafted political promises, say political analysts.
Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said young voters are increasingly discerning about the candidates seeking their support with credibility taking precedence over political showmanship.
Sivamurugan said candidates must demonstrate consistency and a genuine understanding of young voters’ concerns rather than relying on attractive campaign slogans.
“They can distinguish genuine candidates by looking at their track record, accessibility and willingness to listen, even beyond election season.”
Sivamurugan said employment, decent wages, affordable housing and the cost of living remain among their priorities while youth participation should extend beyond campaign appearances to involvement in decision-making.
Echoing this, Dr Tawfik Yaakub said based on his observations in Melaka over the past two weeks, he identified employment opportunities, affordable housing, living costs and career prospects as major concerns.
He said young people want opportunities to build careers in Melaka without having to relocate to other states.
Tawfik said digital campaigning remains important, particularly through TikTok, Threads and Instagram, but online popularity does not necessarily translate into votes.
“Its effectiveness depends on the authenticity of political messages, candidates’ credibility and their ability to connect online campaigns with engagement on the ground.”
Meanwhile, Dr Azmi Hassan cautioned against assuming that Gen Z voters would automatically favour candidates from their own generation.
“Economic opportunities including employment, entrepreneurship and career advancement are more important considerations than a candidate’s age.”
