‘The Politics of Fear’: How Does It Affect Youth Political Participation in Malaysia?

Abstract

This article explores the impact of political repression on youth political participation in Malaysia, particularly on how the regime's efforts to 'depoliticise' and criminalise dissent have shaped youth engagement. Using a mixed-methods approach through data obtained from in-depth interviews and analysis of data from the Asian Barometer, the findings reveal that ‘the politics of fear’ has a negative effect on youth involvement in conventional activism. At the same time, unconventional participation shows no significant differences. Qualitative insights highlight a pervasive 'culture of fear,' deterring most young Malaysians from political involvement, with only a small, courageous group willing to challenge the status quo, given the high risks associated with political activism in the country.