YOUNG politicians are now fearful that the seven million first-time youth voters are not only not mature enough to decide on who to vote, they might not even turn out at all to cast their ballots when the time comes.

Taking part in a political discussion in Twitter Spaces last night, titled GE15: Battle for 7 million youth votes – What must political parties offer? – they said first-time voters lacked critical thinking in choosing the right candidates or which political party to back.

Civil society group Harimau Asia organised the discussion.

Bandar Utama assemblyman Jamaliah Jamaludin said she was concerned with the young voters’ maturity to make that decision.

The 33 year-old Selangor DAP vice chief said if political parties deemed these young voters important, then they have to reach out and guide them in making the decision.

“We have to prepare them. Provide them with the information and the knowledge. (Create) the awareness (for that ability to make the) critical thinking. 

“We have given the youth who are 18 and above the opportunity to vote but unfortunately we have not (groomed them to think).”

Jamaliah blamed it on a culture that does not encourage critical thinking.

In such a situation, she said these young voters could fall prey to vote-buying, “since they have no idea who the contesting candidates or political parties are”. 

Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, on his part, was more concerned over how to make it appealing for young voters to turn out at the ballot box. 

Citing the poor turnout of young voters in the Johor elections in March, the Bersatu deputy information chief said this was all the more crucial. 

“The voters who actually came out and cast their ballots are the seasoned ones… the ones who are aware that they have to come out and vote.” 

Therefore, Afif said it was not enough for political parties to just try to understand and address the issues affecting the youth, but also promote and encourage the young voters to turn out.

Parti Bangsa Malaysia Youth chief Na’im Brundage said the reason why younger voters are less inclined to go out and vote compared to the older generation is linked to the political parties. 

“The political parties, especially the established ones, are not able to connect with the youth of today. 

“A lot of the politicians we have are detached from reality.” 

Na’im said the young voters, when they turn out, “are only voting for the lesser of two evils”.

“That’s the perception they have of political parties, politicians. They are evils.” – May 29, 2022.