By Sulyn Chong
SHAH ALAM, Nov 6 — Pakatan Harapan’s (Harapan) Pandan candidate Rafizi Ramli emphasised the importance of youth votes, as it will be the coalition’s winning factor in the ongoing 15th general election (GE15).
He said there is a new wave that will change the course of this election, which is the wave of young voters, especially those aged 18 to 21.
“I have always been asked, how do we know we will win? Well, I do not use bomohs or fortune tellers... but we use technology and calculate big data over the past seven to eight years to determine where voters are leaning.
“Therefore, we believe it is the young voters, the ones who are voting for the first time, who will change the course of this election. Youths of all races will be Harapan's deciding and winning factors,” said Rafizi during Harapan's Ceramah Mega ‘Ayuh Malaysia Kita Boleh’ in Pandan last night, which was broadcasted live on social media.
The Parti Keadilan Rakyat election director called upon youths in Pandan and throughout the country to be smart and do the right thing to cleanse the culture of Malaysian politics.
“It is time. Time for the youths of Malaysia from all walks of life to be smart and do the right thing.
“We need a change. We need to clean up the bad habits and unhealthy culture within Malaysian politics,” he said energetically.
Rafizi also believes Malaysian youths are intelligent and if given the right opportunity, can build new enterprises through new ideas using digital technology that will spur the national economy.
“We cannot be stuck doing the same things when we no longer remain competitive. Our digital economy is outdated, compared to Indonesia and Vietnam. It is a shame since we have young people with the necessary skills to push us forward but who are not given the chance.
“So, I appeal to everyone here, and those watching live online, please exercise your role as voters and choose wisely for a better future. The coalition cannot win this fight alone. A change of this magnitude requires everyone to do the right thing,” he said.
Rafizi is contesting in the Pandan parliamentary seat, facing off against Datuk Leong Lok Wee from Barisan Nasional, Muhammad Farique Zubir Albakri from Perikatan Nasional, Nadia Hanafiah from Parti Pejuang Tanah Air, and Ong Tee Keat from Parti Warisan.
The Election Commission (EC) has set GE15’s polling day on November 19, with the nomination day yesterday. Candidates will carry out campaigning over a 14-day period until November 18, with early voting to be held on November 15.
