NOT every young voter would choose a political party over a candidate when it comes to marking the "X" on the ballot paper, but Nadia Zawani Hussin will do just that.
The 24-year-old felt that the best political party deserves her vote as its leaders would be able to nurture credible and effective election candidates.
"In the end, candidates will carry out party instructions," she told the New Straits Times.
This was indeed a revelation as random interviews by the NST, including anecdotal evidence, suggest a pattern of the younger segment of the electorate wishing to screen candidates based on their credentials and merits rather than just accepting anybody named by parties of their choice.
In fact, the Barisan Nasional Youth Lab - an extensive survey of young voters' preferences - produced a near-tie, between those who would back a party candidate and those intending to vote for the best candidate.
Some 35 per cent of the 1,000 young respondents polled said they would vote for their preferred party, just one per cent higher than young voters who were particular about the candidates.
How young voters think is precisely the kind of hints sought by political parties as they plan for the next general election.
Already the "Third Force", comprising individuals styling themselves as the Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement, has named two candidates - lawyer-writer Malik Imtiaz and lawyer Sreerant Pillai - on the assumption that a substantial body of voters was no longer dictated by party affiliations.
Akademi Pemuda director of planning Hasbullah Hassin said contrary to such beliefs, political parties were still a dominant choice among youths, especially in urban seats.
Thirty-six per cent of urban voters said they would vote for their preferred party compared with 33 per cent of rural voters.
This has given parties like Umno renewed hope, knowing that chances of faring better could grow in tandem with efforts to strengthen the party.
It is crucial, therefore, to ensure that the DNA mapping is thorough and pinpointed, hence political parties have been scrutinising preferences based on sub-age group and detecting variations.
Would it be true to suggest that party affiliation grows with age? The answer is a mixed bag of findings.
In the youngest segment, those aged between 18 and 23 returned matching percentages; 35 per cent each said they would vote for the candidate and party respectively.
As for the slightly older category aged between 24 and 28, particularly those at the start of their careers, 38 per cent preferred party over candidate, which was at 32 per cent.
So, does this means the older you are, the more attached you get to a political persuasion? Not really, since those aged between 29 and 35, who include young parents, preferred voting the candidate over party (34 per cent to 31 per cent).
However, a more extensive survey would probably reveal a more precise finding.
Opinions are being actively formed as NST discovered, as we searched for more clues, including on the key question if voters shall opt for younger or more experienced candidates.
A college student in Kuala Lumpur, who wanted to be known as "Ling", 23, said she would vote for a local candidate, as the candidate possessed greater familiarity and knowledge of his/her locality.
She, however, said: "I will only vote for someone who can act swiftly when the need arises." She added that she would vote for a mature and experienced candidate.
Peter Arolsamy, also based in Kuala Lumpur, said he would be voting for a people-oriented candidate and someone "who is not too old".
Race is not a factor, but the candidate should not be pursuing a "per - sonal agenda", said the 28-year-old.
NST went to Ipoh last week to discern whether youthful political opinion varies outside Kuala Lumpur.
People kept saying that Perak is urbanising, yet there are a sizeable number of rural constituencies.
Out of 10 school-leavers, roughly five remain in their villages.
Economy and prices of goods matter greatly, said Perak Umno backroom man, Mohd Hanafiah Man.
"Consumer issues such as the price hike of goods are not being taken as a small matter," he said, adding that the rakyat prioritise matters which have a direct impact on them.
NST asked Hanafiah if young voters of Perak would go for candidates or party. The explanation was fairly straightforward - BN and Umno should convince the voters that the coalition would present better election candidates in the future.
"What I can say is the selection of candidates will not be conventional any more," he added.
With Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, at 48 being the youngest MB around, more new faces would perhaps be fielded, especially when 425,841 registered young voters are below 40 years old.
-- New Straits Times
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