By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 7: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) is stepping up face-to-face and social media campaigns to tackle youth voter apathy, with young and first-time voters expected to make up nearly 40 per cent of the electorate in the 13th Sarawak Election.
Speaking to reporters after the launch of the Sarawak Kita Empun 3.0 programme in Kuching today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof said the coalition was using grassroots engagement and digital campaigns to reach young voters.
“Some we need to approach face-to-face, while others we need to reach through social media,” he said.
He said GPS had established a dedicated youth division to lead the outreach efforts, which would continue beyond the election campaign period.
Among the initiatives is Lan Berambeh, an annual forum that allows Sarawakian students studying in Peninsular Malaysia to meet and engage directly with state ministers.
Fadillah, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Senior Vice-President, also highlighted town hall sessions hosted by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, which give young people the opportunity to share their views and policy suggestions directly with the State leadership.
He said the government had also introduced measures to support young people, including a RM600 return airfare subsidy for tertiary students and free higher education at state-owned institutions.
“This shows that our Premier listens,” he said.
On voter apathy, Fadillah acknowledged that prolonged political uncertainty had caused some members of the public to lose confidence in the political process.
“Sometimes, because of the uncertain political situation, some people have already lost hope and given up,” he said.
However, he expressed hope that voter turnout in the coming State election would be higher than in the previous election.
He urged GPS party machinery to step up efforts to encourage voter participation and called on Sarawakians to support the coalition to ensure continuity of Abang Johari’s development agenda. — DayakDaily
