Almost 90% of young Malaysian voters unaware of current political developments: Survey

PETALING JAYA - They were dubbed the kingmakers in the lead-up to Malaysia’s

15th general election in November,

but when the dust settled and the ballots were counted, it seemed the six million new voters had made a different type of impact.

They have instead raised the issues of political literacy and the danger of making premature decisions.

Executive director Hisomuddin Bakar of think-tank Ilham Centre said that in-depth interviews with Undi18 voters – referring to 18- to 20-year-olds now eligible to vote – found that almost 90 per cent were unaware of current political developments.

Some were unable to differentiate between MPs and assemblymen, or even recognise existing political parties and figures, he added.

He said most of them cleaved to the influence of family members where politics was concerned, while others

relied on social media as their main source of political information.

Non-Malay urban and semi-urban youth were more inclined towards Pakatan Harapan, as they were influenced by the party’s mega ceramah (campaign rallies).

“Most of them said social media, especially TikTok, was their main reference – TikTok was comparable to television for them as a source of information,” said Mr Hisomuddin.

Perikatan Nasional, which used social media in its campaigning, including narrative content on TikTok, turned out to be more successful, with almost all young Malays voting for the coalition.

Mr Hisomuddin believes that more than 80 per cent of young Malays (18 to 25 years old) exercised their right to vote, adding that this is an encouraging figure.

Despite their high turnout, data on their political literacy indicated that they were prone to making premature voting decisions.

Mr Hisomuddin called on the Education Ministry to manage unhealthy political elements such as racial and extremist religious approaches.

“Democratic education needs to be coordinated with noble values so that it will be embedded into their (young people’s) final consideration when choosing a leader on the ballot,” he said.

The co-founder of youth movement Undi18, Mr Tharma Pillai, said Malaysia’s low political literacy rate could be attributed to the education system, which does not emphasise political knowledge enough in its curriculum.

He said that even though political education is embedded in the school syllabus, it is not taught to students in a proper, pragmatic manner.

“We can’t keep relying on political parties, NGOs (non-governmental organisations) such as Undi18 or individuals like Fahmi Reza,” he said, referring to the activist, street artist and documentary film-maker.

“It’s not the right way – urban voters will be able to receive the information, but how do we reach rural voters? It’s only through the education system.”

However, he said, young voters are slightly more politically literate than older generations, as they can access information online.

“I think it (political education) needs to be done. My only hope is that they will engage academics and civil society to vet the syllabus,” said Mr Pillai.

“I think it’s important to understand not only the basics, but also your rights, the Constitution – to understand the key elements that make you an educated voter.

“When it comes to citizenship education, there’s a lot that’s missing in our current syllabus.”

Youth in Politics co-founder Loh Kar Mun said a big shift is needed in Malaysia’s educational institutions to build a politically aware and inclined generation of young people.

She said one way is to reform the curriculum to include more political education, especially for secondary school students.

“The curriculum doesn’t have to cover policy or party affiliations or anything of that sort that young people shouldn’t be indoctrinated with, but it could cover the different forms of governance, why representation is important, why voting is important, and others,” said Ms Loh.

“If we think that 18- to 21-year-olds are not prepared to vote, then we have to make the effort to do effective outreach and education.”

Educationist N. Siva Subramaniam believes that Malaysia’s education system focuses more on preparing students for the workforce rather than educating them on nation building.

Commending the Johor state government’s move to introduce a module for political education in secondary schools, he said he hopes other states would follow in its footsteps.

“In the past, students were taught many things about their role, how to develop the nation and citizenship, but today? I am not sure if our education system talks about (national) development,” Mr Siva said. “It is more about what job they can find after they have completed their studies.”

He also said he is confident that if new Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim takes up the issue, “we will put Malaysia on the right path”.

“We need to emphasise that apart from education, the students should also be taught civics, their responsibilities and proper discipline. There is no use in having high knowledge but failing to understand your duty as a citizen,” said Mr Siva.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK