KUALA LUMPUR – A grassroots youth movement in Sabah is raising funds to help young voters return home for the 17th state election, warning that costly airfares could disenfranchise thousands.
The initiative, led by a collective called Hai Mandak! — Sabahan slang for “hey friend” — is spearheaded by four young women from Kota Belud who say youth voices must not be excluded from the democratic process.
Their campaign, Kempen Anak Sabah Balik Mengundi, aims to crowdfund RM60,000 to subsidise travel for at least 100 young voters living outside the state.
“Young people make up more than half of Sabah’s voters. If they cannot afford to come home, we are silencing the majority,” said co-founder Calvina Angayung at a press conference in Kota Kinabalu today, reported Borneo Post Online.
“We want to make sure no Sabahan youth has to say, ‘Mau balik, tapi tiket mahal’ (want to return, but the ticket is too expensive). That should never be a reason to miss voting.”
Since the launch of the campaign, 846 youth have signed up for assistance under phase one. The team is targeting at least 1,000 sign-ups, which they hope will help in lobbying airlines to reduce fares during the election period.
The campaign, which runs independently without political party or government affiliation, is focused on voters aged between 18 and 35.
In addition to fundraising, Hai Mandak! has rolled out Kelas Ko Ada Kuasa Bah! (“You Have Power!” classes), informal political literacy workshops designed to demystify the political system.
“Many youths tell us they want to vote but feel unsure or disconnected from the system,” said member Priska Magdalene Sinem. “Our classes use simple language, visuals and real-life stories. We want youth to see that their vote is powerful, and that they already have a role to play.”
So far, 17 sessions have been held across Kota Marudu, Kota Belud and Kota Kinabalu, with plans to expand to more districts as interest grows. Communities are also being invited to apply to host future sessions.
Recognising the influence of social media, the group has also launched 30 Hari 30 Konten PRN — a month-long digital series explaining election terms, processes and issues in bite-sized content.
The format, inspired by Malaysian food influencer Khairul Aming, is designed to resonate with younger audiences.
“Every post is made with the goal of making politics feel less intimidating and more relevant to daily life,” said digital content lead Cindy May Justin.
Formed in February, Hai Mandak! emerged from conversations among four friends frustrated by the lack of youth-driven civic education in Sabah.
With backgrounds in education, media and community work, they pooled resources to build a platform now gaining traction across the state.
“We started with zero funding, zero political ties, just the belief that youth should lead the change they want to see,” said Suriana Mohammad Salleh, who coordinates the political literacy programme.
“We believe young Sabahans can speak for themselves, organise for themselves and shape a better future if they’re given the space and support to do so.”
With the state assembly now dissolved and elections looming, the movement is urging civil society groups, local leaders and communities to join its outreach.
Its goals are twofold: ensuring young Sabahans can afford to return home to vote, and empowering them with the knowledge to make informed choices. — October 6, 2025