ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
The study aims to analyse the factors that impact political participation among voters in Malaysia and investigate the shifts in voting behaviour among voters, particularly those aged 18–39, during the 14th general elections in 2018, the 2022 general elections (GE15), and six state elections in 2023. Malaysia's political history reveals how some people remain loyal to one political party throughout time. However, the 15th General Election demonstrated a significant shift in voting patterns, taking into account factors such as race and age distribution. The 15th general election results indicate growing discontent among Malaysians, who wish for political reform in reaction to the hung parliament and political instability, the youth crisis, the rise of ethnic and religious divides, and the Malay community's diminishing support for the UMNO party. Several elections have shown notable shifts in voting patterns due to passive resistance or silent protest. These forms of protest manifest people's dissatisfaction with certain issues and policies that impact citizens, the economy, and governance.
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