Naim Junaidi while attending Muda’s movement.

"It feels like I am taking a significant step in defining my own future, but it will also be interesting to participate first-hand in the democratic process after growing up watching on the sidelines," he said.

Danish Asyraf during Muda’s campaign in Muar, Johor.

Another young male voter, Danish Asyraf, said that bringing the concept of young empowerment to reality is what is encapsulated by Undi18.

He also added that allowing voting at 18 is a smart method to attract younger voters in politics and keep them engaged throughout their lives. Citizens would become more informed and involved as a result of this.

Hafiz Khiruddin, who is roughly in his late 20s said he thinks it is a good thing in the long run but wonders if other causes or groups will be overlooked if young people participate in the voting process.

As an experienced voter, Hafiz believes that young voters need more exposure to the country's political scenario before casting their votes.

"I am also not so sure if young voters have that much knowledge or experience to know what's best for the country," he said.

 An interesting process for the first timer.

(Source: Berita Harian)

While it may be a stretch to expect a majority of these new voters to have any real-world experience in his latter point, considering they have yet to have stepped into the workforce, the former point made on youth interests possibly superseding needs of other interest groups is already echoing in some parts of the voting dialogue.

Consistently, manifestos call for increased access to the internet via mobile devices, a reduction in the cost of taking out a student loan, and incentives for the purchase of a vehicle or a house. In this case, it's important to put stress on the words.

Linggi State Assembly Coordinator, Rusli Abdullah states that planning is key and depending on how the party members and leaders respond to this, he sees Undi 18 as either an opportunity or a threat.

Rusli Abdullah reviews Undi 18 as a great opportunity to encourage political leaders to advocate critical national issues that affect young voters.

“The way I see it, this can be an opportunity or a threat to all of us as party members and leaders depending on how we position our parties in the face of it (UNDI18),” he said.

“This may have the desired effect on some parties but have the opposite effect on others. If we (party leaders) can discover these areas without tilting the balance either way, then I think it would be a win-win situation for the party and the people,” he added.

Lecturer in the Political Science programme in National University of Malaya, Dr. Sharifah Nursyahidah Syed Annuar, stresses that formal education is crucial.

"The government must impose Civic Education in formal education for all levels or any alternative education with Civic Education aspects so that adolescents understand their rights as citizens and the democratic process," she said.

Participation in politics by young people has the potential to shape the future of politics and policymaking since they could be a source of inspiration and a powerful derive for new ideas.

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