DAP leads when it comes to introducing young and fresh faces for the 14th general election. Ten of its candidates are aged 30 and below.

Other parties have their share of young blood, but not as many as DAP, which James Chin, director of the Asia Institute, University of Tasmania, said is part of the opposition party’s strategy for renewal and succession planning.

“Picking someone who is younger than 30 is quite difficult. They are most likely young professionals who have recently completed university, and they lack life experience”, said Chin, who is professor of political science at Monash University.

“Parties will most likely field someone who is 30 to 40 years of age, that still falls under the youth category.”

Ikmal Ahmad, author of PRU for Noobs, agrees. 

“If the younger candidate is competent or has greater traction with local voters, then it is definitely better to field them.”

“(But) What matters is freshness, not youth. Take Pakatan in Kelantan, for example. They are fielding a lot of new faces from different professional backgrounds. They are no spring chickens, yet the feeling of ‘newness’ is there.”

Chin said fielding young candidates now would ensure the party’s leadership in future.

“This is a chance for the candidate to build their brand. Unless they are extraordinary, their campaign will focus on introducing themselves to the voters. This makes it easier if they stand for election again, as people will already know who they are”.

Fielding younger candidates could also be a strategy to encourage a high voter turnout on polling day.

“Young candidates might inspire already-registered voters to turn out on election day. Young people are not apathetic towards politics, they discuss it every day, but they need to see peers who can articulate their particular concerns and inspire them as political role models”, said Ikmal.

However, depending on the area, it may come down to personality rather than age.

“In rural areas, the voters prefer a personality that they know. Someone new will not appeal to them. But, in the case of the DAP, voters (recognise the party) and their supporters trust the party to have chosen the right person,” said Chin.  – April 29, 2018.

PKR:

Wong Chun Yuan, 29, Damak, Pahang

Chua Wei Kiat, 29, Rawang, Selangor

Muhammad Hilman Idham, 29, Gombak Setia, Selangor

Muhammad Aman Aizuddin Md Husin, 29, Batu Kurau, Perak

DAP:

Kerk Chee Yee, 25, Ayer Keroh, Malacca.

Jamaliah Jamaluddin, 29, Bandar Utama, Selangor

Michelle Ng, 28, Subang Jaya, Selangor

Lim Yi Wei, 28, Kampung Tunku, Selangor

Choy Tsi Jen, 30, Canning, Perak

Teoh Yee Chern, 28, Astaka, Perak

Young Syefura Othman (Rara), 28, Ketari, Pahang

Teh Swee Leong, 28, Kota Darul Aman, Kedah

Phoong Jin Zhe, 29, Luyang, Sabah

Daniel Gooi Zi Sen, 30, Pengkalan Kota, Perak

MCA:

Daniel Wa Wai How, 29, Keranji, Perak

Lee Yee Yuan, 29, Sekinchan, Selangor

Ryan Ho Kwok Cheng, 30, Damansara, Selangor

Eric Choo Wei Sern, 30, Kota Melaka, Malacca

Yuen Chan How, 30, Tronoh, Perak

Lee Li Kuan, 30, Pokok Assam, Perak.

Bersatu:

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, 25, Muar, Johor

Parti Warisan Sabah:

Jo-Anna Sue Henley Rampas, 29, Kiulu

UPKO-BN:

Caesar Mandela Malakun, 28, Penampang, Sabah

Independent:

P. Prabakaran, 22, Batu, Federal Territory