The recent survey by Merdeka Centre describing how youths are uninterested in politics and their belief that politicians do not care about them, is not only indicative of the failings of mainstream political parties in this country but also the systemic repression of youths in this country, especially the majority brought about by the state and culture.

This apathy among young people is not new. In 2017, Syahderan Johan (one of the more interesting young political operatives in play) responding to a spate of surveys describing more or less the same thing, wrote:

“These young politicians must be able to understand the aspirations and concerns of the youth of Malaysia, beyond the sloganeering and rhetoric. They must not merely echo the words of their more senior leaders. They must be able to know what the young people of Malaysia want and need.”

Of course, nobody, certainly not the political establishment has asked what youths want or need. While youths think that politicians do not care about them, the truth is that politicians are deathly afraid of young people and what they are capable of doing when they are motivated or inspired...