In an election featuring many age-old familiar faces, an increasingly engaged but alienated younger generation of Malaysian voters is committing to #UndiRosak, a social media sparked campaign that advocates spoiling ballots rather than voting for the candidates on offer. The youth vote is a key swing constituency, and both sides of Malaysia’s political divide are vying to win its hearts and minds ahead of what is expected to be a tight electoral race later this year. With many young voters plan to spoil rather than cast their ballots, the no-vote campaign could swing the result in unexpected ways.
While a precise election date has not yet been announced, pundits believe they will be held sometime between the Lunar New Year in mid-February and the beginning of Ramadan in May. Prime Minister Najib Razak, head of the ruling United Malays National Organization (UMNO) and Barisan Nastional coalition, must call the vote by August.
The Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition has stepped up its campaign since former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, 92, was named its lead candidate in January. He will be joined by Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the coalition’s deputy and wife of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who may be released before the polls but will be ineligible to run.
Full Article: Millennials aim to spoil Malaysia’s polls | Asia Times.