Young city-dwellers will rely more on economic data and social media information as they weigh voting decisions at the next general election, says Mazlan Ali.

PETALING JAYA:

Young urban, educated Malay voters are increasingly expected to cast their ballots based on economic performance rather than racial or religious identity, and many would take a “show me the money” approach if a general election (GE16) is held this year, according to a political analyst.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said young urban Malay voters are likely to think differently from their rural counterparts, focusing more on jobs, income, the ringgit, and the economy.

He said this marks a clear shift from the 2022 elections, when perception and identity politics dominated the campaign. “Now the main concern is, ‘who can put food on the table’. This election is about survival and economic progress,” he told FMT.

“With the Iran war and expectations that the second quarter of the economy may worsen, they are likely to support parties that already have a proven economic track record.”

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said he might consider snap polls if tensions within the unity government worsened, although the general election is only due by February 2028, while the ongoing Iran conflict is also expected to weigh on Malaysia’s economic outlook.

The unity government comprises Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan, former rival Barisan Nasional, East Malaysian and other parties. It was formed after the 2022 elections ended in a hung parliament.

However, tensions within the coalition have become more visible following the political crisis in Negeri Sembilan, with leaders from both PH and BN trading public criticisms.

Mazlan said that while some parties may have strong political messaging, Anwar still has economic results he can point to.

He pointed to Malaysia recording more than RM1 trillion in trade in just the first four months of the year, alongside strong foreign direct investment inflows, and low unemployment as indicators likely to influence fence sitters.

“A lot of people say PKR is finished, and support will go to PAS or BN, but that narrative may work more in rural areas where life is simpler, and people depend more on government aid,” he said.

Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid said her conversations with younger voters in urban areas had similarly shifted toward bread-and-butter concerns.

“They ask: Can I afford a house? Will my salary keep up with rising prices? Can I build a better life than my parents?” she told FMT.

Syerleena said identity and values still mattered to young Malaysians, but policies on jobs, wages and the economy were commanding growing attention because they affected daily life.

“And this is not just an urban issue. Rural Malaysians worry about many of the same things, ranging from good jobs, better opportunities and a secure future for their children,” she said.

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Young urban Malay voters will put the economy first, says analyst

Mazlan Ali of UTM says the young voters are likely to back parties with a proven economic track record as fears for their future grow, fuelled by the Iran war, rising costs and a weaker global economy.