Why Malaysian youths haven’t taken to the streets

Malaysia's young people have not taken to the streets in protest, despite facing many of the same economic challenges as their European counterparts. Political analyst Syaza Shukri explains that this may be due to a combination of factors, including political fatigue and skepticism about the effectiveness of protests in bringing about change.

In countries like France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, youth protests have emerged over issues such as low wages, unaffordable housing, and education problems. However, in Malaysia, young people lack a sustained, organized youth movement focused on economic demands. Political scientist Khoo Ying Hooi, from Universiti Malaya, notes that while young Malaysians share these frustrations, they are cautious due to long-standing restrictions on student activism and public assemblies.

She believes that political fatigue and distrust of political institutions play a significant role, as many young Malaysians grew up witnessing repeated political conflicts and unfulfilled promises. Khoo also points out that young Malaysians are more likely to express their grievances through social media, community initiatives, and electoral participation rather than through large-scale street protests.

However, this expression of dissatisfaction may not translate into sustained organization or political pressure. Malaysia's history of student mobilization, from the 1970s to the Reformasi and Bersih movements, demonstrates that large-scale movements require sustained organizing, shared demands, and alliances across different sections of society.

Syaza Shukri, a political scientist from the International Islamic University Malaysia, adds that the Malaysian cultural preference for avoiding chaos means young people are more likely to voice their unhappiness online rather than engage in risky protests. While low wages and rising living costs could become significant political issues if the opposition capitalizes on them, the key factor will be whether people feel their concerns are being heard.