PEJUANITA Muda, the young women’s wing of Pejuang, is all set to field its candidates in the 15th general election (GE15), its leader Dr Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi said.

“We will make sure that Pejuang put up its young women candidates,” she told The Malaysian Insight, adding that a significant quota has been allocated for the wing.

Nurul Ashikin said the unique feature of Pejuanita Muda is the diversity of its members, who are from various social and education backgrounds, ranging from housewives and professionals to students.

“I think Pejuanita Muda’s inclusivity is unique,” she said.

Nurul Ashikin said as a former Puteri Umno member, she is aware of the workings of young women’s wings and has done research to determine their weaknesses.

She said many Pejuanita Muda members have no experience in politics.

“Compared with men, the involvement of women, (in politics) especially young women who already have families, is less. But they have a place in Pejuanita Muda… to the extent we are willing to provide babysitters,” she said.

“This will enable housewives and young women to participate in GE15. I think that is our unique ‘selling point’.”

At present, Pejuanita Muda has more than 5,000 members.

On the wing’s recruitment drive, Nurul Ashikin said she has leveraged social media platforms, such as Tik Tok, and carried out ground activities to attract more members.

“When we carried out our flood relief mission, some of the volunteers were not even Pejuanita Muda members. But they are now, after the programme,” she said.

On competition with youth-centric party Muda, she said it has been healthy so far.

What do the youth want?

Nurul Ashikin said the challenge for Pejuang and other political parties lies in determining the thought process of Malaysian youth as Undi18 has now become a reality.

“There is no research on the thought pattern of those aged between 18 and 21 who will be casting their ballots for the first time in the next general election,” she said.

“We cannot deduce what they want and what their political inclinations are.”

However, based on the groundwork done by her party, she said, those aged between 17 and 19 are unsure of who they will vote for.

“Many of them do not know the current line-up of politicians and even if they do, it is only those who are popular on social media,” Nurul Ashikin said.

“This (Undi18) levels out the playing field for all political parties as no party has an advantage over others.”

She said Undi18 will make senior politicians understand the importance of youth leaders.

“If they sideline young politicians, they will lose because of Undi18,” she said.

Nurul Ashikin said what youth need are politicians who can come up with solutions to pertinent problems.

The number of voters in Malaysia has increased by 5.61 million to 20.6 million following the implementation of Undi18.

On whether Malaysia could see a woman prime minister any time soon, Nurul Ashikin said this will only happen if there is a woman leading a political coalition.

She, however, said this is unlikely to come about in GE15. – January 13, 2022.