After a long and hard campaign to get young voters specifically those between the ages of 18 to 21 to be eligible to vote, it was finally approved in Parliament on the 16th of July 2019.This monumental milestone will allow young people the right to vote for a government they deemed suitable to rightfully govern the country. This could not have come at a more pivotal point in the Malaysian political scenario in which the 15th General Election is set to be held on the 19th of November 2022. The question now is what do these young voters know about the voting process and all that comes with it? This piece is an homage to the democratic process in our country and the role of these young voters within it. A majority of young voters are pre-service teachers in institutes of teacher education throughout the country. This article will capture their ‘voices’ about the UNDI 18 mandate as well as their roles and expectations of the upcoming 15th General Election. In what follows are excerpts of my dialogue with a group of pre-service teachers concerning UNDI 18 and the electorate processes.
How do you feel about the UNDI18 mandate that has now enabled all of you to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election?
“To be honest, I am not ready to make any decisions because I am still unsure of the process…”
Anon 2
I think it is a very good idea but many of us are not exposed to the current political scenario now.”
Anon 5
“I think I am not matured enough to make such an important decision.”
Anon 8
“I think it is a very good opportunity to expose young people to take part and find their voice in politics. They cannot be spoon-fed all the time; they must be aware of their roles and rights when it comes to politics.”
Anon 9
“I agree with UNDI18 because youth voices must be heard in determining policies. They must have a say for their future too…”
Anon 12
Will you be voting at the upcoming GE15?
“Honestly, I really don’t understand the whole process of voting…”
Anon 7
“I do not see where they (the political parties are going). It is not clear to me…”
Anon 18
“I do not see the point as older people seem to dominate the political arena and we do not see our representation.”
Anon 22
“We need to be exposed to what are our rights as voters. Now, I am very unclear about this…” (
Anon 16
“Perhaps this can be included as a course/subject now that it has been approved. So, we know what to do”
Anon 19
What are the changes you wish to see?
“More young people in Parliament. We want younger people to speak for us.”
Anon 2
“More equality in education, not focused on one group. Everyone is struggling, so what can be done for the rest of us who are not in that group…”
Anon 24
“Justice for society especially for wages, the cost of living.”
Anon 17
“I wish to see public transportation improved…”
Anon 26
“Financial assistance for students especially air fares…”
Anon 7
“The manifestos must be realistic and achievable…”
Anon 8
Do you know what the respective parties stand for?
“Not really!”
Anon 5
“Not enough, there should be more reach-outs on all social media platforms especially for the youths like us…”
Anon 15
“Too many parties, we do not know which is which. It is confusing…”
Anon 10
Cause for concern or lessons to be learnt?
The young voters and their votes will matter greatly in the upcoming election but are they ready to exercise their rights to do so when many are still unclear of the whole process. It is our responsibility to educate them so they would be able to make informed and responsible decisions. It should not stop merely at getting UNDI18 up and off the ground but a more careful and planned framework on the voting processes and rights must be put in place for these youths as part of the political manifesto. The future is after all theirs!
Written by Shubashini Suppiah
Shubashini Suppiah is a teacher educator at the Institute of Teacher Education Gaya Campus in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Malaysia. Her areas of research interests are teacher education and teacher professional development, reflective practice approaches and digital literacy in the ESL classroom. Read her previous articles here and here.
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