No more legacy politics?: Malay youths in the Malay heartland are more politically savvy and this could influence future elections, says study. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE / The Star
AHMAD KHUZAIRI, a 32-year-old car salesman from Kuala Lumpur, has been vocal about the country’s politics since the 2020 government change and the pandemic’s aftermath.
As the ringgit fell amidst series of political infighting, he began to question politicians’ sincerity.
“Political parties are at each other’s necks. Racial and religious sentiments are being put at play for votes. In the meanwhile, I am making cuts to my expenditures, such as groceries, looking for a cheaper house to rent and of course, fuel. And I am not the only one feeling this way”.
Ahmad’s frustrations mirror findings from a recent Iman Research study – carried out in the northern states of Peninsular Malaysia, the east coast states and Klang Valley – which showcases Malay youths’ recent outlook on the current goings-on about the country’s political landscape, as well as their increased literacy in politics which influences voting trend.
The study, entitled “Orang Kita” (Our People) was carried out through through interviews and focus-group discussions from July 2023 to March this year in the peninsula’s so-called Malay heartland. It comprises 110 Malay working adults and university students, aged from 18 to 35, as participants.
The study’s key aim was to ascertain Malay youths’ understanding of democracy and their views of Malaysia’s potential future.
Lack of agency
In 2022, the number of registered youth voters was estimated to be at least 1.3 million nationwide. Some analysts have been also reported as describing the segment as having low political literacy, due to their lack of participation in civic and political movements.
However, as illustrated by Iman Research’s study, things are evolving rapidly.
An example of the respondents’ political literacy is also shown from their worry over the lack of political education to understand the concept of politics.
“Twenty-one-years old and older participants are concerned with the lack of media and political literacy among younger youths. They are calling for civic education to be re-introduced in schools,” says Iman Research’s research associate Aziff Azuddin.
Aziff says while Malay youths are concerned about policies, factors of political identity should not be discounted. — Iman Research
Within the same vein, the respondents, instead of getting embroiled in political mudslinging, are more concerned about policies meted out by the government of the day.
Their take has moved away from the tenets of partisanship.
“For instance, on social media where they always voice out their grouses, this group feels encumbered by the government’s broad take on 3R issues (race, religion, royalty) and policy of expression, which are seen as actively shutting down discourse. We must understand that this segment uses social media to get information, as well as voice their opinions,” Aziff says.
The study also finds youths voicing concerns over the rising cost of living, stagnant wages, shrinking job markets and subsidy removals.
“The government is perceived as lacking in economic direction,” he says.
Consequently, do these voters only care about policies that meet their needs, regardless of which party forms the government? Not in the entirety, according to Aziff.
“Towards the end (of the study), not really. In the beginning, as I must put a caveat here, some believe that the government must be led by a Malay Muslim. This is usually voiced by Pas or Barisan Nasional supporters, generally speaking.
“But (for this group), Pakatan Harapan (through Amanah and PKR) also has some Islamic credibility, due to which they say will keep the balance on Malay and Islam political powers, so that helps (in assuring the Malay-Muslim voters).
“For them, that is important but the same goes for policies as well. I am not discounting the importance of political identity.”
Voting trend
When it comes to how current Malay youths’ understanding will influence voting trends, Universiti Sains Malaysia political scientist Prof Dr Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid agrees that the change also means that they no longer solely cast their vote for parties.
“They want something that matters to them. Things that cater to their (socioeconomic) needs,” he says.
But at the very least, Ahmad Fauzi says for Malay Muslim voters in general, either race or religious sentiment will play a role in making their decisions; for instance, aspects that are difficult to compromise with include the position of Islam.
This echoes one of the study’s findings, in which Aziff says that while the respondents are not big on Arabisation or Islamist rule, they maintain that Islamic values must underpin the nature of politics, drafting of laws and running of democracy.
Ahmad Fauzi says generally, across all races, this concept is known as “primordial sentiment”.
“It is very hard to take away. It is known as primordial sentiment. It is something that has been ingrained since we were born. Racial or religious identity will always be with you till the day you die. This is a sentiment that is shaped by your environment and community culture,” Ahmad Fauzi says.
Dr Ahmad Fauzi says voting trends among Malay youths may change but they still remain rooted to primordial sentiments.
He explains the difference in voting trends between Malays of different generations, which evolves according to education as well as social interaction with people from different backgrounds, cultures and races.
“This (political identity) has to be balanced with rational thinking, bolstered by education and exposure through interaction with people from other races.
“That is why I think that the process of education and urbanisation, is extremely important. But we also cannot deny the fact that perhaps as people age, they will revert to their basic sentiment. When we speak about education, or even indoctrination, these things come into play.”
The only aspect which can overcome the primordial sentiment is rationality.
“When faced by certain circumstances, especially in policy-making or decision-making processes, (a question will crop up on whether) they care about the nation (or themselves).”
Political education
Institute of Strategic Analysis and Policy Research (Insap) adviser Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal Muhammad says the youths today are certainly better informed on the policies brought by the government, with some are indirectly acquainted with political knowledge through current issues.
And while digital technology has hastened consumption and comprehension of knowledge, Ahmad Masrizal says there has yet to be a clear measure on the youths’ level of political literacy.
“Allowing them to vote at 18 years old has provided the youths a window to learn and understand what is politics all about. They are now beginning to learn about politics at the age of 18, whether they are at universities or as working individuals.
“They are now evaluating policies from a political lens. But I cannot yet be certain of their level of political literacy, or how far they have come since then.
“But I can see an improvement. There is something positive about that,” Masrizal says.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Masrizal says youths today are certainly better informed on politics and policies. — Bernama
When it comes to voting preference, Masrizal says while the youths are more engaged, their decisions are not based purely on policy literacy yet, but a mix of practical needs and deep-rooted identity factors.
He points out that political education is key to further enhancing their understanding and there is still room to gauge how well young voters grasp the policies shaping their lives.
“For example, when we talk about casting votes (based on preferences) towards a party or personalities, these are two different things (normally weighed upon during polls).
“But if it is about solely casting votes due to in-depth familiarity with policies mooted by certain governments, I do not think we are there yet.
“There should be a study on the people’s level of literacy on government policies. This way we can gauge their level of understanding. We can also find out if their politics are based on other factors, such as familiarity or fiscal.”
