Sabah polls: Parties should focus on young voters for support

SABAH POLLS | Political parties contesting in the Sabah election will have to get the support of young voters, especially those who are disappointed with the state’s political turmoil, if they wish to succeed in forming the new state government. 

According to an academician, young voters feel that their votes are like a "commodity" that can be traded to achieve one's political agenda.

Because of this, Sabah Universiti Teknologi Mara senior lecturer Tony Paridi Bagang said he does not rule out a scenario where young voters refuse to go to the polls this time, which will affect the Election Commission’s (EC) target of a 70 percent voter turnout.

"This is the main challenge for contesting parties and also the EC, to convince the (young) voters," he told Bernama.

The EC has set Sept 26 for the polls, with nomination day on Sept 12 and Sept 22 for early voting. There are about 1.12 million registered voters in Sabah.

Concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic would also have a direct impact on the state election process, especially on the number of voters who are going to turn up to cast their ballot, Bagang said. 

"This will also test the maturity and accountability of the people and politicians to observe the prescribed standard operating procedures, like physical distancing,” he added. 

Bagang is of the view that the dissolution of the state assembly to give way to the Sabah election was a "reset" button for the state's political crisis, with the impact on voters to be closely monitored by the affected political parties and leaders.

E-delivery driver Johari Napih, 25, said political instability would adversely affect the state government as it would hinder the implementation of policies and initiatives.

"The public knows that Sabah has many 'frogs' (party hoppers), jumping for support here and there, resulting in the state government to become weak.

“I am fed up with this, from the time I was very young until now, the situation has not changed. There has to be a ruling to eliminate all the 'frogs' so that the government can work for the people," said Johari, who is a voter in the Tempasuk state constituency in Kota Belud.

Delivery worker Mohd Khairul Tazul, 24, shared similar sentiments, saying that his decision to cast his vote or not will depend on the candidates contesting for the Pantai Dalit state seat.

"Young voters will look at candidates' credibility to decide on who to vote, before the party they represent. If I don’t like the candidate that is fielded in my constituency, then I will not vote.

“Give new young faces the chance to become candidates,” he added.

Sabah PAS Youth information chief Mustaman Mustain agreed with the suggestion to have new young faces be fielded as candidates, saying that they can give fresh ideas for the state’s development.

"Young voters will be the determining factor in this election,” he added.

- Bernama