ONLINE CAMPAIGNS AND THE YOUTH VOTE
Political parties, especially the opposition, are actively using social media platforms to spotlight infrastructural shortcomings under the GRS-led government, analysts said.
“The online campaign space appears to be more influential in shaping voter perceptions for this state election,” Arvin said.
The youth vote could be a decisive factor in this election, with data from the Election Commission showing nearly 54 per cent or 960,000 voters are aged between 18 and 39.
The implementation of Undi18 in 2021, which automatically registered citizens aged 18 and above as voters, makes the Nov 29 election the first real gauge youth voting trends and preferences in shaping Sabah’s political direction.
With widespread access to social media, young voters are increasingly aware of current issues, particularly those directly affecting Sabah, Arvin added.
Even so, Romzi of UMS said the influence of youth voters seems “overstated” as parties continue to prioritise broader issues, and lack credible youth-centric policies or engagement.
Sabah voter Rodiahtul Ardawiyah Julasri, 25, told CNA that while long-standing issues such as infrastructural failures and employment challenges remain key concerns, candidates and political parties so far have “no real strategy” to engage young voters like her.
“The fact is that most parties offer the same things, following the same storyline (in their manifestos and speeches); the only differences are the amounts of money or support promised,” said the master’s student from the Karambunai constituency near Kota Kinabalu.
“There is no ‘wow’ factor for us … everything still follows old-fashioned campaigning – house-to-house visits, putting up posters.”
She said that key issues such as water, roads and electricity remain unsolved in Sabah and should not always be politicised as they are “basic necessities that Sabahans deserve”.
“For me, to attract young voters, candidates should focus on their own abilities without attacking other candidates or rival parties,” added Rodiahtul.
Rodiahtul’s Karambunai constituency will see an 11-way contest featuring parties such as GRS, Perikatan Nasional (PN), Warisan and BN.
In the 2020 election, incumbent Yakub Khan of BN narrowly retained the seat, winning by a razor-thin majority of only 16 votes against Warisan candidate Ahmad Jais Otong, who is also contesting this time.
“I would choose a candidate I’ve seen actively involved in my constituency, instead of a candidate from a party I like who only appears during campaign season,” Rodiahtul said.
“Even if the party wins a simple majority and appoints a good chief minister, what is the point if the representative for my constituency cannot deliver for the local community?”
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