MALAYSIANS under the age of 30 from all major ethnic groups voted against the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition at the May 9 general election, a study conducted by pollsters Merdeka Centre showed.

Out of 2,209 respondents in the post-election survey, 558 were under 30. Of this group, there was an overwhelming rejection of BN, said researcher Ehsan Shahwahid.

“On the image of Barisan Nasional, we interviewed 558 voters under the age of 30 and a majority of them, 84%, rejected BN and view them as negative,” he said at a forum last night.

Malay youth recorded the highest number of voters who rejected BN, followed by Chinese and Indians.

“The Malays are the highest in rejecting the party with 88 respondents saying the party is tainted followed by the Chinese at 82 respondents and Indians at 65,” said Ehsan.

“The youth we interviewed also revealed that they have positive image of Pakatan Harapan but the priority were economics affairs, state finances and corruption.”

The survey was conducted via telephone on May 16 to May 31 on 2,209 voters from all 222 constituencies.

A total of 52% of respondents were Malays, Chinese (28%) and Indians (7%).  

It also found that while the rejection of BN was higher in the peninsula than in Sabah and Sarawak, voters from both urban and rural areas shared a similar distaste for the coalition that ruled Malaysia for more than six decades.

“Peninsular Malaysia recorded the highest number of dislikes towards BN. In Sabah and Sarawak, the number is not so far behind. Urban and rural voters we interviewed felt the same about BN. They rejected the party.”

Based on this current perception, BN must try to improve and reform its image, he said.

“BN must reorganise and look for ways to improve. There is nothing else.”

Ehsan said the PH manifesto also played a vital role bringing victory to the former opposition coalition.

“The most important was the abolish GST promise, to stabilise the price of oil and to solve the main scandals. That is why many voters we surveyed said they preferred PH’s promises.”

Most respondents expressed confidence and hope that PH would be able to bring a change to living conditions and the economy, he said.

“From 2,209, 81% disclosed that they have high regard towards PH and they do believe that PH can bring changes.”

He also played down the undi rosak movement, which urged voters to spoil their votes as a sign of protest against both coalitions, saying that only 3% out of the 2,209 respondents agreed with it. – August 31, 2018.