KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 — Both ruling coalitions Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) reportedly expressed their confidence in appealing to youth votes in the 15th general election (GE15).
Umno information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan told Malay daily Utusan Malaysia this is because youth voters will make wise judgements and not simply rely solely on perceptions.
“I don’t agree with those who say that many young people support the opposition. Any party has strong voters and support from all age groups.
“Any parties that offer solutions particularly on wage issues for example, that will be the party that will be chosen by the youth voters,” he was quoted as saying.
However, he also conceded that many young voters are on the fence, and are not overwhelmingly in favour of any political party.
Meanwhile, PN youth deputy chief Wan Ahmad Fahysal Wan Ahmad Kamal said that youth voters will favour the coalition due to the so-called reputations of its main rivals BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said that the image of both of the opposing coalitions is visible to the demographic, and will manifest in the election results.
“This will hinder the support from conservative and centrist youth voters. Despite that, there are Muslims who go to nightclubs and refuse to fast during Ramadan, but when it comes to morality it is unquestionable.
“So PN will definitely benefit from these youth voters,” he was quoted as saying.
Approximately 1.4 million voters in the next GE15 are from the age of 18 to 21 years old, while another 4.6 million voters are from 21 to 29 years old.
The Election Commission has announced that Malaysia will go to polls on November 19.
