KOTA KINABALU: Young voters are poised to shape the outcome of the 17th Sabah State Election, according to the Nadi Sabah 2025 study by Institut Darul Ehsan (IDE).
IDE chairman Senator Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohammad Redzuan Othman said those under 40 now form the deciding bloc, less bound by party loyalties and more driven by credible leadership and stability.
The survey, carried out with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and the Social and Community Research Organisation, covered 2,488 respondents across 73 constituencies statewide.
It found that 66.5 per cent of voters will vote based on candidates rather than parties, prioritising integrity, community service and leadership credibility, while water and power issues, infrastructure, and cost of living remain top concerns.
About 27 per cent of voters remain undecided, with the study noting that social media—particularly TikTok, WhatsApp and Facebook—has overtaken traditional media as the main source of political awareness in Sabah.