Barriers to youth political participation: insights from Malaysia’s lowered voting age policy (Undi18) in the 15th General Election

Abstract

In 2019, Malaysia implemented the Undi18 policy, lowering the voting age from 21 to 18 and enabling younger candidates to contest in federal and state elections. The 15th General Election (GE-15) provided the first significant opportunity to assess the policy’s impact on youth political participation. This study employs a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews with 20 first-time voters in Johor and Selangor, and two key stakeholders. The findings indicate that while Undi18 has generated interest among young voters, significant barriers remain, including insufficient political education, limited access to reliable information, and gaps in democratic citizenship skills. Despite enthusiasm for participation, many young voters expressed uncertainty about their roles and responsibilities in the political process. The study highlights the need for comprehensive political education to foster effective youth engagement. Addressing informational and educational gaps can enhance the success of policies like Undi18. These findings contribute to the broader literature on youth political participation by proposing targeted interventions to overcome identified challenges, offering actionable insights for policymakers to better engage youth in politics and ensuring the long-term success of electoral reforms like Undi18.