Youth voters ready for political alternatives, says Bukit Batu's Arthur Chiong
To address concerns that many youths feel disconnected from state politics, he said politicians must demonstrate how state-level decisions directly affect their daily lives.
KULAI - Johor's younger electorate is increasingly open to political alternatives, with changing voter demographics reshaping the state's political landscape, says Bukit Batu incumbent Arthur Chiong Sen Sern.
Speaking to Sinar Daily, Chiong said more than half of the voters in Bukit Batu are youths, making them a crucial factor in determining the constituency's future.
"Of course, they are ready for a choice. In Bukit Batu alone, more than half of the voters are youths. They get information from social media and many other sources, not only from old-school politics," he said.
Chiong said young voters were becoming more politically aware and were looking beyond traditional political narratives when deciding who to support.
To address concerns that many youths feel disconnected from state politics, he said politicians must demonstrate how state-level decisions directly affect their daily lives.
"First of all, we need to show them why the state election is important and how it affects their daily lives.
"For example, housing programmes, economic opportunities and their future career prospects.
"When they understand this, more youths will be attracted to vote in this state election," he said.
He added that issues such as affordable housing, job opportunities and economic development resonate strongly with younger voters and should remain central to political discourse.
On the departure of former PKR leaders, including Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, to form a new political platform, Chiong said every politician has the right to choose their political path.
"Everyone has the right to join any party, but for me, I am staying in Keadilan. I am very proud to represent my party in this coming state election," he said.
The Election Commission has set July 11 as polling day for the Johor state election.
The campaign period officially began following the conclusion of the nomination process and will run until the eve of polling.
The Johor state election will see a five-cornered contest in the Bukit Batu state seat, involving incumbent Chiong of Pakatan Harapan, R. Kumaran of Barisan Nasional, M. Premanand of Muda, G. Tamili of Bersama and Independent candidate Datuk Kamaruzaman Ali.
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