MANY youth are unconvinced that spoiling their votes is worthwhile despite the #UndiRosak campaign that is making headlines and worrying politicians of all stripes.

They believe that the social media campaigns, despite generating a lot of buzz online, will have little impact on the general election.

A 29-year-old researcher who only wanted to be named as Hilmi said the campaign will not disrupt the political structure in the country due to the lack of accurate data on the number of #UndiRosak activists.

“Maybe the campaigners only make up of 0.001% of the voters. We (can) only make speculation on the campaign but we don’t have a specific data on it.

“#UndiRosak will be present but it would not affect the structure or the political scene,” he told The Malaysian Insight after a forum on the 14th general election (GE14) held by Merdeka Center in Petaling Jaya last night, which focused on the #UndiRosak campaign.

The forum was held in conjunction with the 2018 Youths’ Civic-Democratic Empowerment Project.

He also said people had the right to organise the campaign in a democratic country, but they should focus on the bigger picture, which is fair and just politics.

“What we should think of is, is this (the campaign) a solution? Will this change the political situation in Malaysia?,” added Hilmi.

Another member of the audience, Carlson Chew Yee Herng, 24, said the campaign is not a viable alternative because youth should know that their votes matter.

“If you don’t vote, a government will be selected and it’s better to have one which you can work with instead of the same one without any outcome,” he said.

The fresh graduate also said youths are being “too optimistic” with the campaign by thinking a change in the government would take place through the campaign.

“They think the government will listen to them. Their voices are strong, but it’ll be hard,” he added.

Meanwhile, Salman Mohd Yusop said the campaign is not an issue too large that could affect the government but it is a matter that could influence youth to abstain from voting, despite not knowing the long-term effects of their action.

“(The campaign) might make them think to abstain from voting. But they don’t see the effect it could bring in the next five years,” said the 23-year-old student.

Present at the forum were  Fadiah Nadwa Fikri from Malaysia Muda, Petaling Jaya City councillor Lim Yi Wei and Team Selangor programme director Divya Devi.

Fadiah said #UndiRosak can be viewed as an alternative that could benefit the country if done properly.

“A discourse on #UndiRosak helps us to understand what is democracy, a true democracy for the people,” she said.

Lim said she was more concerned about those who did not register to vote.

“#UndiRosak is their right, but we have to keep our eyes on what is happening out there.

“What is the flaw in the system that is hampering democracy? We have to look at the system as a whole,” she said.

Divya said those who advocate #UndiRosak do not know that they have the opportunity or capability to change the situation by casting a vote.

There is currently an ongoing social media campaign calling for people to cast a spoilt vote in protest over the lack of choice or poor quality of candidates.

Besides #UndiRosak, other tags trending on social media include  #SpoiltVote, #ProtesPRU and #GEProtest.Both the government and the opposition have voiced concerns over the campaign.

Prime Minister Najib Razak has urged Malaysians to avoid spoiling their votes in the polls and told them to choose based on who has brought about the most development.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said those who are unhappy with the current political situation should forward their dissatisfaction to the party instead of boycotting the election.

He said he would study the grouses of #UndiRosak activists after Chinese New Year.

Analysts and activists have stated that by boycotting GE14, it only helps Barisan Nasional to win the next election. – February 11, 2018.