” The preferred politician could be an aged old person, looks like a circus freak and a fêted high school drop-out … “
Over the months I have filled this column with many things. I’ve suggested 20 things that you should not do when you’re a parliament member. I’ve revealed that political campaigning is as good as advertising woman’s underwear in the middle of a football match and I’ve explained that if you’re a Muslim, Padova is the last place on Earth you would want to be. In other words, when it comes to politics I have completely dived to the bottom of the bottle and then kept right on going. But I have never written about one of the most discussed topics in Malaysia today – Young voters: The group of people that makes more than 50% of all electorates.
There’s a very good reason for this. I don’t understand why we (young voters) should be given such a spot.
Not to long ago, I was called by the producers of Astro Awani (channel 123) to appear live on one of their talk shows: Analisis Pilihanraya (Election Analysis). They wanted to broadcast my views on the voting behavior of young Malaysian voters and man, were they up for a spill.
Perhaps the most popular choice for a live telecast about young voter’s voting behavior would be Praba Ganesan – ever enthusiastic and easily stimulated when politics becomes the heart of a talk. But I guess he’s too “political” and rarely down to Earth. But am I the best choice for the show? This grim, grumpy Malay university drop-out?
Well, here then, my absurd and celebrated idiotic thoughts that were broadcasted live awhile back – Thank you Astro:
What is the primary concern – global issues or local issues?
The fact is this. Global warming is coming, so you can swathe yourself with all the UV-protective lotion you can get your hands on and stand on the beach waving your electric car at the advancing heat wave, but it won’t make a slightest of difference. Moreover, thinking of a green policy or nifty solution is too much of a twinge for a third-world psyche. Boldly, if really the climate is changing, bring it on! You sweat right down to your balls in this country and we would certainly like to embrace the cool refreshing breeze.
On a serious note, concerns regarding global issues like climate change or green technology are still an extravagant opulence. Young voters in Malaysia, and many developing nations alike are still very anxious and attentive on domestic issues and the realization of quality basic needs i.e. a more efficient yet cheap public transportation service, a cheaper and an effective healthcare service, bigger and better job opportunities, etc. Matters and concerns that is not very dissimilar to the rest of the electorate and not very novel.
From the perspective of a university debate organizer, is our youth less capable of arguing global issues?
Of course. We don’t talk about it much hence, there wouldn’t be very much debate and exchange of ideas. But what’s wrong with that? It’s not like it would have provided 250, 000 jobless undergraduates with decent jobs, made everyone in Kelantan happy, removes the motive for the HINDRAF rally and thus saved the country millions of ringgit.
Furthermore, this does not in anyway suggest that our youths are incapable of rational and quality debate or argumentation. They’re just a cut above and fiery at different issues.
What are the attributes of a politician that young voters fancy – is the level of education a concern?
Like other members of the electorate, young voters would simply want someone they could comfortably share their disquiet with, not necessarily someone they can associate themselves with just because he/she is young, metro sexual, or well-cultured. The preferred politician could be an aged old person, looks like a circus freak and a fêted high school drop-out for what we care. What’s fundamental is the young voter’s ability to see and derive belief of the person’s sincerity in fulfilling his/her duty and the conducive environment that the person establishes that welcomes criticisms and ideas.
Level of education and from which institution you acquired your education is never my personal political measure. Having a PhD and a ‘Dr.’ in front of your name means nothing in the context of politics, but a mere mechanism for the proliferation of political elitism thus, just another face of prejudice.
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