AFTER Pakatan Harapan’s 100 days in power, the excitement felt by Malaysian youth between the ages of 21 and 30 has subsided.

Merdeka Centre research assistant Ehsan Shahwahid said the reason behind the dip was due to political realities and the challenges faced by PH.  

“After the week of the elections, the spike of euphoria was very high. We don’t know how much it has dipped because we haven’t conducted a study, but based on a general observation, there is a dip that we can say based on comments on social media and discussions.

“At first, there was an emotional high but after reality set in, the youth faced a reality check. The Pakatan Harapan government had new challenges to face,” said Ehsan, an analyst with the independent pollster.

According to Ehsan, the youth were extremely satisfied within the first three weeks of the 14th general election.

Speaking at a forum titled “Youth: Can they change Malaysian politics?” last night, Ehsan said the satisfaction was high when the prime minister had yet to announce his full cabinet members but had taken steps to keep PH’s election promises, such as the abolishment of the goods and services tax (GST).

“The youth were in high spirits during the first 100 days when some of the manifesto promises were implemented. Right now, it is quite difficult for PH to say that the level of confidence is as high as it was a few weeks post-GE14.

“At the moment, more of the government’s policies are being criticised. This is based on postings on social media but a concrete study is yet to be done.”

Merdeka Centre conducted the survey throughout the nation with 2,209 respondents in all 222 constituencies. Out of that number, 558 were aged between 21 and 30.

The survey was conducted via telephone on May 16 to 31.

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

A similar study conducted by local think-tank Iman Research showed that the youth voted for PH in GE14 because they wanted to change a corrupt government.

“They were tired of the former government because it was corrupt and the youth wanted to change the old leaders,” said Iman programme director Badrul Hisham Ismail.

He said the youngsters felt a great satisfaction when the change was effected.

“They are now happy with the new sense of freedom and openness they have acquired after the change.

“So, it’s important for PH to maintain and expand this freedom and to include youth participation in Malaysian democracy,” he said at the research office in Wisma Sentral yesterday. – August 31, 2018.