Youth split over whether to vote

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 31 Aug 2022 7:00AM · 1 Comments

With the introduction of Undi18 and automatic voter registration, as of January, an additional 5.8 million voters will be added to the electoral roll of 15.3 million. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 30, 2022.

YOUNG voters are unsure about whether they should vote in the general election, The Malaysian Insight found out in interviews.

They said they do not follow politics and therefore don’t know who to vote for.

Some said access to the internet allows them to make informed decisions.

Chen Jia Hui, 18, from Kedah, said she won’t be voting in GE15.

“I just completed my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and I don’t have enough knowledge on what is happening in the country to go out and vote,” Chen said.

“Even picking what to pursue for my tertiary education is hard, how can I decide which party to vote for?

“If I decide to vote, I will ask my mother’s opinion first.”

Leow Pin Wuen, 18, feels the same way, adding he does not care for politics.

“I know when I turn 18 I am automatically registered as a voter; my teacher told me,” Leow said.

“But if a GE is held soon, I don’t have any idea who to vote for.”

Young voters say they do not follow politics and therefore don’t know who to vote for. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, August 30, 2022.

For Jonathan Su Chuen Xian from Sabah, he said that not all youths lack information on voting and politics.

“We have the internet. Online, there are diverse arguments on political leaders,” Su said.

Eighteen-year-old Su plans to vote in GE15 and will choose based on party and not the individual.

Another teenager, Teh Rui En, also said that youths are paying attention to what is happening in the country.

“As someone from the Chinese community, I should pay more attention to current affairs so that I can make the right decision.

“I usually pay attention to politics and what is happening in Parliament. So, I can make a decision on who to vote for.”

Meanwhile, Wong Jun Hau said he wants to vote for a party that is not embroiled in corruption.

“I know about the automatic voter registration and I’m ready to exercise my duty to vote,” Wong said.

“For me, whoever I vote for must be clean, have strong convictions and are diverse.”

Wong admitted many of his friends, however, lack the maturity to make such decisions and don’t care about it either.

“They are not interested and don’t intend to vote.”

Bersih chairman Thomas Fann said the Election Commission (EC) must create educate those young people who are newly eligible to vote.

Fann said the public education campaign should also teach the people how to cast their votes safely on polling day. – August 31, 2022.
 

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Comments

  • Parents should educate their children on the importance of their vote too. They are the ones who will make a difference whether their children will vote or not.

    Posted 3 years ago by Elyse Gim · Reply