Sabah youth movement launches campaign to boost voter turnout

A youth-led movement is on a mission to prove that Sabah’s youths are the real kingmakers for the upcoming state election.

Through a grassroots campaign aimed at raising funds to help voters return home as well as teaching political literacy in hostels and villages across the state, the group known as Hai Mandak is rallying young Sabahans to reclaim their democratic power ahead of the state election.

Formed by four youths from Kota Belud, the movement has so far reached hundreds through its “Anak Sabah Balik Mengundi” crowdfunding drive and “Kelas Ko Ada Kuasa Bah!” workshops, which are both designed to ensure that no young voice is left unheard on polling day.

Referencing a familiar lament by youth voters who cite expensive travels back to their hometown, the group said its crowdfunding campaign is geared at helping at least 100 Sabahan youths return home to vote.

It also highlighted that youth voters make up more than 900,000 voters or 54 percent of Sabah’s electorate.

“Hai Mandak will also run a content series during the state election season, alongside workshops across various parts of Sabah with nine facilitators assigned to different areas,” the group said in a statement today.

Stressing that such initiatives are not backed by funding from any political parties, the group said it welcomes any community interested in holding workshop sessions during the election period.

It also called on everyone - including Sabahans, corporations, community leaders, and especially youths - to take part in such efforts.

“Hai Mandak believes that young people themselves best understand their generation’s realities and voices. That’s why the best people to speak to youths are youths themselves,” it added.

The 17th Sabah state election will be called within the next 60 days following Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor’s announcement today on the dissolution of the state legislative assembly.

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