Speaking to FMT, he said young voters should not give up on helping to bring about change even if they are opposed to Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) choice of Dr Mahathir Mohamad as its prime minister-designate.
He said they must remember that PH had promised institutional reforms, and he claimed the reforms would happen no matter who took the prime minister’s job.
Syed Saddiq made his remarks in reaction to news about a split between youths willing to give Mahathir a chance and those who oppose the former prime minister’s return to office.
In a recent interview with FMT, student activist Anis Syafiqah Yusof said anti-Mahathir youths were actively influencing their peers to boycott the 14th general election.
Syed Saddiq said: “This is one of the times where change is possible. It’s not about voting for a leader, but about creating history by reforming the system. I beg these youths to please, please realise that their votes count.”
He said a low voter turnout would only benefit BN, and gave three reasons for this.
“First, Umno has the largest loyal voter base and this is because it’s been in power for 60 years. It goes to the point of blind loyalty for some of the supporters.
“Second, Umno has the resources to mobilise supporters and to buy votes.
“Third, Umno controls all the instruments of state, including the military, police and the official media.”
He said the best response PH could give to the group of youths who were calling for a boycott was to continuously engage them.
“This is our job and I believe we are doing it because we know how important the youths are in determining the result of this election.”
Anti-establishment youths split over Mahathir’s possible return as PM