WITH about 10 days until nomination, the Johor elections are beginning to look like a crowded race. 

This is both good and bad.

In the democratic system perspective, elections allow both parties and individuals to put forth both their ideals and values, as well as plans and strategies to improve lives and livelihoods of a particular state or country. 

In the political ring however, too much politicking leads to a tiresome, lethargic mood that results in the electorate turning jaded, disillusioned and eventually, apathetic towards the political process.

Worse still, when that apathy reaches an irreversible point and the person not only loses faith in political figures, but the entire political process itself. 

We are quite quickly reaching that point – we have had a less than expected voter turnout in Malacca, and voting patterns indicate many out-of-town voters are reluctant to return home from other cities or abroad to cast their ballot. 

The political conversations too, have been lackadaisical of late, with what was previously major discussion topics like defections or even entire governments switching hands, or reshuffles in major alliances, or even formation of new ones, occurring on a much fast paced rate, yet with hardly the interest it used to generate. 

The saving grace of these elections, however, could be in the form of younger voters and fresh candidates, who could reinvigorate the campaign with new ideas that could bring renewed interest. 

Nearly a third of the 2.56 million eligible voters are new voters, a large proportion of whom are 18 to 21 years old. 

Cognisance of this is likely the driving force behind BN Youth’s proposal of 15 seats to be allocated them, out of 56 seats, as was with the factor convincing PH to give up nine seats to allow Muda their chance. 

Both are quite unprecedented steps, as BN traditionally favours older candidates with strong grassroots ties, which takes time to build, and PH usually favouring their core party members, which already have a strong youth element. 

Perikatan on the other hand, has not quite shown their hand yet, but Bersatu has a sizeable number of young within its Armada, and Gerakan has been tailing former allies MCA and MIC’s step in wooing under 40 year olds into their party fold. 

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, the young face leading Muda, undoubtedly has a large fanbase built around his moderate image and dynamic personality, but youth comes with some mistakes – a few missteps in his party’s infancy, mostly by their enthusiastic young members – bravado and taunts against fellow allies, accepting former members of PH parties, some who have crossed over multiple times, and being associated with the more well-heeled socialites, have taken some shine out of his populist man-of-the-people image. 

His open and on-and-off rift with the Tengku Mahkota Johor may win him bouquets for daring, but brickbats from royalists from a state that proudly displays all immediate members of the royal family in public areas, not only of the ruling monarch and consort, and that typically sings the state anthem before the national one. 

Muda will have to contend against factors within and outside the PH “big tent” to prove their mettle, but in doing so would likely earn them a proper seat at the table with PH for the next general elections. 

Other parties, such as Pejuang, will also undoubtedly be hedging their bets on the young. 

Even younger parties, like Parti Bangsa Malaysia, too, will likely be fielding heavily from their young membership, many formerly PKR youth members. 

Despite the fizzling-out political climate, against the backdrop of Omicron and a bleak economy, the young guns could prove the game changer needed, or the “great reset”, to quote a party leader. 

Whichever party the young voters choose to back will impact the national political alignment moving forward, and should be intently watched.  – February 16, 2022.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.