‘Young voters find Barisan Nasional initiatives appealing’
KUANTAN: Young voters will play a pivotal role in determining the victors in the 14th General Election (GE14), say analysts.
While analysts believe it will be tough for Barisan Nasional and the opposition to decide which candidates youth, who are widely regarded as fence-sitters, will favour, the situation appears to be more clear cut in Pahang.
Young voters in the Kuantan and Indera Mahkota parliamentary constituency favour BN more due to the hard work and approach adopted by local leaders to get close to youth.
Pahang Youth Council secretary-general Azrul Khairi Muhamad said although both constituencies were dominated by the opposition, BN was responsible for all the development and initiatives for the younger generation.
He said major issues plaguing youth there were jobs, home prices and the rising cost of living.
“The Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park in Gebeng and the East Coast Rail Link project has created a lot of jobs for people in both areas.
“And housing projects under the 1Malaysia People’s Housing Programme have allowed people to buy and own homes at affordable prices.”
He said young people preferred leaders who were ready to listen to them and work together to find solutions to issues.
“The two constituencies are ruled by the opposition, but there are not many programmes for youth or events for them.
He said the candidate for the seats had to be prepared to always be on the ground.
Azri Mukhtar, 29, a chemical engineering graduate from South Korea’s Sungkyunkwan University, said many young voters did not take sides, preferring a wait-and-see approach.
“They will wait until the last minute. It will depend on which party can promise benefits that can be delivered in five years.
“For example, in the Kuantan parliamentary seat, BN has the advantage for implementing development projects, such as RapidKuantan, a new overpass and the construction of the second bridge connecting Tanjung Lumpur, which will ease travel for the people.”