Johor polls: Youth candidates dominate as parties vie for young voters

As Johor heads to the polls on July 11, a significant shift is evident across its political landscape: all three major coalitions are placing substantial bets on young candidates to capture the attention of a burgeoning youth electorate. This strategic focus is driven by the fact that nearly 42 percent of Johor's 2.72 million registered voters fall within the 21 to 39 age bracket.

This emphasis on youth is reflected in the candidate selections, with at least half of the approximately 140 candidates unveiled by Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN), and Perikatan Nasional (PN) aged between their 20s and 40s. Notable young contenders include 24-year-old Danish Hossman Abd Rahman from PH and 27-year-old Anna Pravina from PN, alongside BN's 29-year-old V. Rugendrah. The definition of "youth" in Malaysia, officially under 40, will be revised to under 35 from January 2026.

“

I think it helps when you’re still young and active, that you have the stamina to do this sort of stuff.

Rashifa Aljunied, a 26-year-old Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) hopeful defending the Puteri Wangsa seat, embodies this youthful energy. Having worked under MUDA president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, Rashifa emphasizes that youth in politics means bringing bolder ideas, quicker responses to constituent concerns, and greater approachability. Her team in Puteri Wangsa has handled 13,000 complaints over four years, highlighting a focus on tangible daily issues rather than inter-party disputes.

The push for younger candidates is a direct response to the growing pool of young voters, especially since automatic voter registration took effect in 2021. This trend is also seen in Johor's state government, led by the relatively young caretaker menteri besar, Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who was 44 when he took office, making him the youngest to hold the position since 1986. The strategy underscores a national recognition of the youth vote's increasing influence in Malaysian elections.

“

We’re a small team of three to four people in Puteri Wangsa and we had dealt with 13,000 complaints over the past four years. People want someone talking about issues affecting their daily lives, instead of which party is fighting which party.