Home Web Specials What the Johor polls should remind young voters

What the Johor polls should remind young voters

Young voters should reject parties or politicians who still resort to the colonial legacy of divide-and-rule strategy through race and religion

File photograph: Malay Mail Online

Join us on Telegram and Instagram for the latest.

As the Johor state election draws closer, all eyes would be particularly on the cluster of 18 to 20-year-old voters to see what they would do with their newly acquired right to vote after Parliament passed a law in 2019 facilitating their enfranchisement.

The Johor polls would obviously be historic as it is the first time the youth in the state, who are part of the estimated 1.2 million youthful voters nationwide, are expected to exercise their democratic right.

Hopefully, their youthful idealism, presumably underpinned by such good values as honesty, integrity, justice, compassion and diligence, would be put to good use when they vote, as the elections are really about the future they ought to help shape.

We would expect them, together with their elders, to have an idea of what a better Johor in particular and Malaysia generally ought to be before they make their political preferences.

A Malaysia mired in corruption surely cannot be part of their future because, as recent years of financial scandals have shown, it is destructive in many important ways. The young voters must see to it that this scourge is battled at all costs.

When casting their ballots, the youth should also remember that public institutions that have been infested with corruption must be cleansed as it gives rise to inefficiency, financial bleeding, undemocratic practices, social injustice and public distrust.

The young voters must be mindful that corruption should never again be made part of our national culture, our ethos – as it is so toxic.

READ MORE:  Mengolah persetujuan: Politik wang dan pilihan raya Johor

As education is important to the nation, the voting youth should ensure that the politicians they would vote into power are those who would be able to embrace and emphasise meritocracy, social justice and inclusivity into the state education system.

The diversity in our multi-ethnic society should be regarded as an invaluable asset and not a bane, so that the voting youth would reject parties or politicians who still resort to the colonial legacy of divide-and-rule strategy through race and religion for their own self-preservation.

Inclusivity is vital in a diverse society such as ours. The youth, thus, should also appreciate that minority groups are to be taken care of and deserve government assistance and not neglect, so that as stakeholders their living standards can be uplifted and their rights protected.

Equally important is that the current economic policies, which are laced with neoliberalism, need to be reformed so that the interests and concerns of the poor are prioritised over those of the well-heeled. Social justice must be embedded in such reform.

If health is indeed wealth, then the public healthcare system must be beefed up to ensure proper and adequate medical care that can be easily accessed by the majority of the people, especially the lower-income group.

This approach would go a long way towards addressing, say, the woes of contract doctors, whose services are greatly needed.

Similarly, contract hospital workers and ancillary workers would not have the necessity to go on a convoy from Penang to Putrajaya to present a memorandum to the health minister to seek occupational redress.

READ MORE:  Ketuanan Pengundi: Pengundi adalah bos!

The youth would surely be mindful of the political importance of freedom of expression and media freedom as a freer environment is crucial in bringing about the transparency and accountability of a sitting government. Besides, they also need such freedom to express their aspirations, grievances and hope.

Politicians who are a stumbling block to this important freedom should be cast aside.

There are obviously leaders who, to borrow an animal lexicon of contemporary politics in Malaysia, behave like a tiger that cannot change its stripes. Voters, particularly the young, must steer away from such politicians who are set in their ways that are inimical to democratic practices and the interests of ordinary Malaysians.

The young voters should, of course, avoid betting on politicians who are bent on behaving like frogs, leaping from one party to another to protect their vested interests. Political stability, which was the official rationale given to the calling for the Johor election, cannot be sustained with such jumping amphibians. – The Malaysian Insight

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
  1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
  2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
  3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
  4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
  5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

Make a pledge

    Consider making a periodic pledge to stabilise Aliran's financial position. Submit the pledge form to give us an indication of what kind of periodic donation you are comfortable with. (This form is just to give us an idea of future donations to assist in our budgeting. There is no legal commitment on your part to stick to this schedule. You may cancel or revise your pledge at any time by submitting the form again.)


    RM 


    After you click on the Pledge Now button, you may proceed to make your donation by online banking or bank transfer periodically, according to your pledge schedule. You may contact the Aliran office during working hours at 04-658 5251 for assistance while the office may occasionally remind you of your timeline.

    Or support our work by making a one-time donation. Tap to download the QR code below and scan this QR code from Gallery by using TnG e-wallet or most banking apps:


    The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest
    0 Comments
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments
    0
    Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
    ()
    x