NIBONG TEBAL, July 1 — Realising the youth are among the most involved and interested in e-sports, Pakatan Harapan candidate Joohari Ariffin is using the platform to approach young voters, especially first-time electors, in the Sungai Bakap by-election.
Besides holding in-person meetings and various activities for his campaign, the period for which began June 22, programmes involving digital sports or e-sports tournaments attracted the highest proportion of youth.
Joohari said this approach, among others, can bridge the gap between adults and youth, thereby attracting the latter to get to know the by-election candidates.
“This is one of the approaches we are using, besides social media, to get close to young people,” he told Bernama after meeting the 75 participants of the Madani PUBG e-Sports Championship organised by Persatuan Semarak Aspirasi Madani here last night.
The former teacher said efforts to educate young people or first-time voters to become responsible voters require time and patience.
“In this by-election, we have candidates aged 60 and in their 50s contesting, so there is a gap between adults and young people.
“It takes time to educate youth about the science of the democratic system and to get them to understand politics,” he said.
Madani PUBG e-Sports Championship programme director Haidzir Hashim said 15 teams participated in the PUBG championship.
Joohari is in a straight fight against Perikatan Nasional candidate Nibong Tebal PAS vice-chairman Abidin Ismail in the Sungai Bakap by-election on July 6.
The Sungai Bakap seat fell vacant after the death of incumbent Nor Zamri Latiff on May 24 due to inflammation in his stomach.
The constituency has 39,279 registered voters comprising 39,222 ordinary voters and 57 police personnel.
— Bernama
