KUALA LUMPUR: A nationwide campaign has been launched to achieve 100% youth voter turnout for the next general election.

       Led by Undi18, UndiNegaraku and Architects of Diversity (AOD), the campaign called #Undi100Peratus also aims to ensure youth voices are heard by political parties.

       Undi18 co-founder Tharma Pillai said with the introduction of at least four million youths to the electoral roll alongside the lowering of the voting age to 18, it was imperative for youth concerns and policy preferences to be prioritised towards charting Malaysia’s future.

       “Through the implementation of this campaign, it ensures the engagement of youth and policymakers across the country through a series of debates, surveys and grassroots activities.

       “The debates organised will comprise youth politicians across aisles and act as an arena to debate about regional issues at the heart of their communities,” he said at a press conference on Thursday (April 7).

       Tharma added that the first debate was expected to be aired live on Astro Awani sometime in May.

       Undi18 education director and co-founder Qyira Yusri added that with rumours of an impending election, it was important for youths to begin actively participating in politics or risk being left behind.

       “Hence, we need to take drastic measures towards ensuring young voters impacted by the Undi18 bill are not only taking their opinions to social media, but also to the ballot box,” she said.

       Also present at the launch was AOD co-founder Jason Wee and AOD media manager Neila Maryam.