Tuan Ibrahim: PAS can't rely on family ties to win youths, tackle cost of living instead

PAS MUKTAMAR | PAS must strive to address youth-based issues to ensure it secures a multi-generational appeal, particularly as support for the Islamist party is no longer a guarantee among younger audiences.

PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man observed that even if a party has long received backing from older voters, younger voters nowadays might not necessarily be open to accepting a party just because of its brand or identity.

“In the past, if the father (supported) Umno, the child was usually Umno too, but now, it is not like that - the father is Umno and the child is PAS, or vice versa.

“The bond of young people to a party inherited from their father or their family no longer binds them to become followers of that party,” the Kubang Kerian MP said in his officiating speech at the PAS Youth muktamar in Kota Bharu today.

As such, he urged PAS members to garner support from youths by detailing the party’s offerings and how its leadership can improve the quality of their lives.

“What is our solution to employment problems? How can they own a house? Why does the cost of living keep rising? What is the future of their education and career? These are the challenges that lie before us,” Tuan Ibrahim said.

A previous Malaysiakini analysis showed that PAS’ gains were driven by a groundswell of support among youth voters during the 14th general election.

A separate analysis of 7,351 polling districts during the 15th general election also showed that PN won 46 percent of districts with only the younger voters.

Political fatigue

Tuan Ibrahim also cautioned that another major challenge for PAS Youth’s consideration is the emergence of political fatigue among youth voters, who perceive politics through the lens of "quarrelling and hostility.”

The PAS leader explained that such weariness could potentially be dangerous as 52.8 percent of voters ahead of the 16th general election are under 40 years old, leaving the power to determine the nation’s future political path in the hands of youths.

“Imagine if the younger generation no longer cared about politics - that's a huge challenge, a very great danger, because it will be exploited or taken advantage of by parties that capitalise on our weaknesses.

“That is why we need to strengthen the agenda of building up political strength among young people,” he added.

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