Written by Khalid Zanudin
In conjunction with Program Kampung Angkat MADANI @ Kampung Semera, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH) together with the Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya Malaysia (SPR) have successfully launched a voter education initiative, Program Kesedaran dan Pendidikan Pengundi, as part of its broader Projek Cintakan Negara. This half-day program was held at Dewan Perpaduan Kampung Semera Lot, have brought together academicians, SPR officers and the local community to deepen understanding of electoral rights, democratic responsibility and the practicalities of the voting process.
The programme was led by Najiha Zainudin, who spearheaded the coordination, facilitation and academic direction of the initiative. She was supported by a dedicated team of academicians from FSSH whose expertise contributed significantly to the programme’s impact. The academic team included:
- Dr Adibah Yusof
- Dr Leha Saliman
- Dr Khalid Zanudin
- Athifah Bolhassan
- Mohd Hisyamuddin Basabah
- Dr Nor Hanim Awang @ Mohd Noor
- Muhammad Azzubair Awwam Mustafa
- Dr Nor Rafidah Saidon
- Dr Mohd Khairul Nabil Mohd Nor Azan
- Nurul Huda Marwan
- Dr Farah Zaini
Building Civic Literacy and Democratic Participation
The main agenda of the program is to empower rural communities with the knowledge and tools needed to actively engage in Malaysia’s democratic system. Thus, through interactive briefings, workshops and a mock election, participants were guided by SPR officers through the entire electoral life cycle which comprises of voter registration until the process of casting a vote. This hands-on approach exposes participants especially the youth segment on the many aspects of the electoral process, hence making it more accessible especially for first-time voters.
The program emphasises on the involvement of youth and young adult aged 18 until 30, a cohort that represents a critical mass of new voters. By targeting this segment, FSSH and SPR aim to nurture a more politically literate youth base which not only vote out of obligation but with a better understanding of their civic responsibilities as a Malaysian citizen.
University-Community Partnership
The program symbolizes FSSH and UNIMAS’s commitment to social responsibility and community empowerment. Rather than focus only on sharing and expanding knowledge to the local community, the program also fostered meaningful interaction between academicians, government agencies and the communities of Kampung Semera.
Moreover, the initiative is more than just an outreach. It’s a deliberate effort to embed academic expertise into grassroots action and translating the university’s values into tangible benefits for the community. For local community of Kampung Semera, it provided a valuable opportunity to gain direct access to institutional knowledge and democratic discourse.
Impact & Sustainable Outcomes
By providing participants with a clearer understanding of their civic duties and the electoral mechanisms, the program aims to drive long-term engagement in future elections. More informed voters are more likely to participate consistently and demand accountability from their elected leaders.
Equally important is the transfer of knowledge which saw the program served as a bridge that linking academic learning about politics, civic values and leadership. This not only has immediate benefits but can shape community attitudes for years to come.
Aligning with Global Development Goals
This voter education initiative supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are:
- SDG 4 (Quality Education) – by providing civic education and lifelong learning opportunities.
- SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) – by bringing marginalised rural voices into the democratic process.
- SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) – by promoting fair, inclusive electoral practices.
- SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) – through the strategic collaboration between FSSH, SPR and the local community.
Way Forward
With the success of this first engagement, FSSH and SPR plan to make this voter education program a recurring feature in future collaboration. Future iterations could include follow-up workshops and expanded outreach to other rural communities and university students.
FSSH – A Partner for Social Change