BATU PAHAT – Politics was never a priority for Aidil Riduan, who runs a road-marking business in Kulai, Johor. Despite being eligible to vote, the 28-year-old has never cast a ballot.

But in June, he signed up to become a candidate for Bersama, a new party launched just over a month earlier by former ministers Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi.

“I am now on my 10th day of campaigning,” Aidil told The Straits Times on July 6 after a walkabout in Bukit Permai, Kluang, where he is contesting.

Aidil’s journey from disengaged non-voter to candidate reflects a broader disconnect in Johor politics. Nearly half of the southern state’s 2.7 million voters are under 40, but only one in four candidates contesting the election is in the same age group – a gap broadly mirrored across the country.

Many young voters say politicians do not fully understand the economic pressures they face, from low wages to changing patterns of work.

Malaysia lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 in late 2021.

Johor’s state election will be held on July 11.

The median age of candidates is 47, according to ST’s analysis of ElectionData.my. The youngest candidate is ruling coalition Pakatan Harapan’s Danish Hossman, 23, while the oldest is opposition Perikatan Nasional’s Lim Chin Eng, 73, also known as Roland Lim.

Aidil said his absence at previous elections was not due to apathy. He was aware of the problems facing Malaysia and his home town, but like many young Malaysians, his immediate focus was on work and supporting his family.

“I come from a poor family. My mother brought up me and my brother,” he said.

From a young age...