Racial Complexity and Political Voting Decision: A Study on Young Voters in DUN Semenyih

Abstract

Chaos theory is a useful tool for politicians and policymakers to achieve their political objectives through deliberate changes. Several political parties seem to gain advantages from chaotic situations, while others suffer significantly. Chaotic phenomena destabilize the emotions and behaviors of voters, making them complex, uncertain, and unpredictable. This research aims to examine how chaos theory has been significantly applicable to voter intentions and behaviors by analyzing a Malaysian political phenomenon.The Malaysian political landscape, before and after the 2018 general election, was filled with multiple chaotic phenomena. The political maneuver known as the "Sheraton Move" in February 2020 created massive political chaos, instantly altering the federal government and several elected state governments. With the collapse of the elected Federal Government, political realignments also took place in the states of Perak, Kedah, Melaka, and Johor, shifting from Pakatan Harapan to Perikatan Nasional, and subsequently, Barisan Nasional. The political chaos and the butterfly effect led to several unprecedented phenomena, including the cohabitation of numerous political adversaries, the gain of power without an election process, changes in the election cycle, and the resurgence of minority parties to state power. It has been established that social media played a role in mediating political chaos.Thus, this study will explore and explain the effects of political chaos on voters' intentions and behaviors, focusing on the impact on young voters' evaluations and decisions in the Semenyih Constituency, Selangor. The expected sample for this study is 380 respondents, and a survey will be used to collect and analyze the data.