Nearly 90% of younger Malaysian voters unaware of present political developments: Survey

PETALING JAYA – They had been dubbed the kingmakers within the lead as much as the 15th General Election (GE15) in November, however when the mud had settled and the ballots counted, the six million new voters had made a special sort of impression.

They’ve as a substitute raised the problem of political literacy and the hazard of constructing untimely choices.

Ilham Heart govt director Hisomuddin Bakar stated in-depth interviews with Undi18 voters – referring to 18 to 20-year-olds now eligible to vote – discovered that nearly 90 per cent had been unaware of present political developments.

Some had been unable to distinguish between MPs and assemblymen, and even recognise present political events and figures, he added.

He stated most of them cleaved to the political affect of members of the family whereas others relied on social media as their main source of political information.

Non-Malay city and semi-urban youth had been extra inclined in direction of Pakatan Harapan as they had been influenced by the celebration’s mega ceramah (marketing campaign rallies).

“Most of them stated social media, particularly TikTok, was their primary reference – TikTok was corresponding to tv for them as a supply of knowledge,” stated Mr Hisomuddin.

Perikatan Nasional, which used social media in its campaigning, together with narrative content material on TikTok, turned out to be extra profitable, with Malay youth nearly completely voting for the coalition.

Mr Hisomuddin believes that over 80 per cent of younger Malays (18- to 25-year-olds) exercised their proper to vote, including that that is an encouraging determine.

Regardless of their excessive turnout, knowledge on their political literacy indicated they had been inclined to creating untimely voting choices.

Mr Hisomuddin referred to as on the Training Ministry to handle unhealthy political components reminiscent of racial and extremist non secular approaches.

“Democratic training must be coordinated with noble values in order that it will likely be embedded into their (the youth’s) remaining consideration when selecting a frontrunner on the poll,” he added.

Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai stated Malaysia’s low political literacy charge may very well be attributed to the training system, which doesn’t emphasise political information sufficient in its curriculum.