KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian youth are becoming more politically aware and adopting a more mature approach to politics, said youth activist Shatesh Kumar Sangar.
He said that although the overall numbers are still insignificant, the youth are no longer confined to the party ideologies that utilise the 3Rs - religion, race, and royalty - to attract voters during the campaign period.
"I believe that issues related to race and religion cannot always be the gamble for political parties to secure votes because the current young generation is wise and capable of making judgments to determine the country's future," he said.
At the same time, Shatesh acknowledged that young people now dare to express more apparent support through social media, a new phenomenon leading towards a new political narrative.
Shatesh said the change needs to be accepted by all parties since their involvement, including the ideas they bring, is unique and diverse.
"This might be a change that we need to accept. We need to move towards mature politics in this new political narrative," he said. - AWANI