WE were on our way from the north back to Kuala Lumpur when we tuned into the podcast “Keluar Sekejap”. The July 23 episode has inspired us to look at Malaysia’s political landscape from a different perspective. With five days left until till polling day, voters from Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Penang are going to elect their new state representatives. With the Election Commission recording a 73.89% voter turnout in the 15th general election last November, the turnout in the state elections is expected at between 60% and 75%.

Surrounded by constant vicious debates on opinions and ideologies that push boundaries into territory of extremism and radicalism, young voters need to stand up and make informed decisions in determining the future of the nation. In fact, a study by ISIS Malaysia in 2021, indicated that young Malaysians are under the siege of long-term implications on economic, social, and political pressures resulting from the pandemic. They are progressively denied political representation, even though they are already suffering from the pandemic’s economic and emotional effects.

This episode hosted by Khairy Jamaluddin and Sharil Hamdan (both former Umno members) had invited Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz from Muda as their guests. The four of them come from backgrounds of different political ideologies, generation and even gender, yet their discussion had, in our opinion, inspired optimism in political landscape of the nation, where dissecting politics in a more civilised and insightful manner down to the intricacies of different factions, could be made more widespread. 

Here are some of our reflections from this episode.

First, civilised dialogues need to be normalised among politicians. Democracy is a progressive process that requires civilised discussions between politicians with diverse views to find a common ground over pressing issues. This episode allowed listeners to grasp political standpoints as the hosts sought clarification from the guests on some brouhaha reported in the media, which were clearly explained by the latter. As listeners, conversations like this allow us, members of the civil society, to look at the other side of the coin and avoid herd mentality. Eventually, votes are cast based on informed decisions on policy development and nation-building vision and should not be merely on the basis of political parties nor candidates.

On top of that, the episode showed the necessity to recognise that women, comprising half of humanity, should be actively included in decision-making processes at personal, familial and societal. There should be more female representation in the political arena. While women participation in the workforce has increased by 8.7% up to 55.5% in 2021 against 46.8% in 2010, there was a decline in female representation in parliament. With only 31 women elected in the November polls – equivalent to 13.9% of parliament – we are a long way off from achieving 30% women in decision-making positions. Women’s political, social, and economic rights are inseparable from their human rights. In fact, in a functional democratic society, viewpoints from various interest groups, including men, women, and minorities in formulating holistic policy development for the country are extremely important. 

In addition, the episode also sent an explicit message to the listeners, especially the younger generation, that politics is not just about political parties, election, or power. A study by the Merdeka Center conducted between February 19 and March 20, 2021, found that 78% of young people surveyed perceived politics and government to be complicated. They reflected their dim view towards politics, where 66% believed that public officials and politicians cared little about what young people think. In view on that, political discourses need to touch on topics that are relevant and appeal to young people.

In short, conversations with neutral and objective standpoints are imperative in enabling listeners make informed decisions and cultivate critical thinking when manoeuvring the sea of information in a political discourse. – August 7, 2023.

* Lee Ze Yee and Iris Ng Pei Yi read The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.