Scroll, think, vote: Malaysia’s young voters in the digital age

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Kritik
13 Sep 2026
20
SubCategory | Media Narratives

Scroll, think, vote: Malaysia’s young voters in the digital age

By Afi Roshezry Abu Bakar and Adi Wira Mohd Zin

Then there are the social-media voters.

FOR MANY young Malaysians, politics no longer begins with a newspaper or a ceramah. It begins with a scroll.

A TikTok video, an Instagram Reel, a WhatsApp message, or a viral meme may be the first place they hear about a candidate or national issue. This makes politics more accessible, but it also makes young voters easier targets for misinformation, emotional manipulation and online hostility.

Since Undi18 and automatic voter registration were introduced, about 1.4 million Malaysians aged 18 to 20 became eligible to vote. Young people now hold greater power to shape the country’s direction. However, not all young voters think or vote in the same way.

Several common types of young voters exist, and one person may belong to more than one group.

First, we have the “What’s in the manifesto?” voters. These are issue-focused young people who care about jobs, salaries, affordable housing, education, corruption, mental health, and climate change. They want practical answers. Catchy slogans may grab their attention, but clear plans are more likely to win their support.

Next are the “My family has always voted this way” voters. Their choices may be influenced by family traditions, ethnicity, religion, community or state identity. There is nothing wrong with valuing identity and family views. The danger begins when political messages use fear, prejudice or anger to turn Malaysians against one another.

Then there are the social-media voters. A politician who is funny, confident and good in front of the camera can quickly become popular. However, being entertaining online does not necessarily mean being capable of governing. A one-minute video can introduce a candidate, but it cannot tell the whole story.

We also have the “Can you fix my daily problems?” voters. These pragmatic voters are concerned about food prices, rent, transport, employment, and financial security. They are less interested in political drama and more interested in whether a leader can improve everyday life. Their support may change when promises go unfulfilled.

Another important group is the protest voter. These voters use the ballot box to say, “Enough is enough.”

They may be frustrated with poor governance, corruption, broken promises, or established political parties. They are often willing to switch sides, making them especially important in closely contested seats.

Finally, there are the “I don’t know who to choose” voters. Politics can be confusing, particularly for first-time voters. Some feel overwhelmed by conflicting information, while others believe their vote will not make a difference.

Studies on Undi18 have raised concerns about young voters’ preparedness and political literacy.

This is where digital citizenship becomes crucial. Before liking, sharing, or believing political content, young voters should pause and ask: Who created it? Is the source reliable? Is there evidence? Could the image, video or audio have been edited—or even generated by artificial intelligence?

Cyber wellness matters too. Constant exposure to angry debates, insults and alarming headlines can leave people anxious and exhausted. It is perfectly acceptable to mute toxic accounts, take a break from the screen and refuse to join abusive arguments. Disagreeing with someone does not require humiliating them.

Malaysia does not merely need young voters who can mark a ballot paper. It needs young citizens who can scroll carefully, think independently, and vote wisely.

After all, democracy should not be decided by the loudest influencer or the most viral video. It should be shaped by informed citizens who know that every click—and every vote—has consequences.

Source: scroll-think-vote-malaysias-young-voters-in-the-digital-age

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