PH-BN must move forward with a youth-centric narrative, say analysts

 

Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional must offer something that resonates with the current preferences and desires of young voters.

PETALING JAYA: Youths will continue to distance themselves from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) if the coalitions fail to build a Malay-Muslim narrative to rival that of Perikatan Nasional (PAS), warn analysts.

Mujibu Abd Muis of Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) said PH and BN are still in the early stages of collaboration in the unity government and must demonstrate a strategic long-term plan in representing youths.

He said the two coalitions, until now, have failed to create a narrative for youths, who make up 50% of voters.

“The youths are more into this ‘war of perceptions’. They have become disconnected from Malaysia’s political history.

Mujibu Abd Muis.

“The longstanding rivalry (between the two coalitions) are understood by youths through ‘soundbites’ on social media, so this is what PH and BN are up against,” he told FMT.

“Until now, PH and BN have failed to capture the imagination of young voters,” Mujibu said.

He was commenting on Amanah Youth deputy chief Razak Ridzuan’s recent remarks, that the wing had failed to capture the support of youths in the 15th general election (GE15) and recent polls in six states.

Amanah, a splinter party from PAS, is a PH component party.

Following GE15 last November, which resulted in a hung parliament, PH formed a unity government with BN, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

Ilham Centre’s executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said PH and BN must devise strategies that comprehend the psychographics of young voters while designing narratives aligned with the preferences and interests of this demographic.

He also said the youth vote is highly fickle and susceptible to manipulation by groups that understand their interests and trends.

Hisomuddin Bakar.

“PN must not become complacent either. The preferences of young voters can change. Despite the strong support for PN, the opposition cause does not seem to address youth issues at this point,” he said.

“To win them over, the youth wing of any political party needs to offer something that resonates with the current preferences and desires of young voters.”

Mujibu echoed Hisomuddin, saying that the support of young voters for PN is not due to the appeal of any particular political figure but rather driven by contemporary sentiments. - FMT