Investigating the use of social media among the young urban middle class in Malaysian politics, and its potential role in changing the Nation's political landscape

• Published in: Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences
• Main Author: Hashim M.A.; Mahpuz M.; Khan N.A.; Daud N.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84874525818&partnerID=40&md5=48a14e802886abbacae8141c935e4812

The objective of this study is to examine a relationship between the usage of social media and its potential role in changing Malaysian political landscape. Online survey was conducted amongst 130 respondents that comprise Malaysia's young urban middle class population aged between 21 and 40 living in the Klang Valley. The findings suggested that social media has played and will continue to play a significant role in transforming Malaysia's political landscape. To the young urban middle class segment, it has opened up their democratic space and this fits in with their expectations to express their views and feelings freely over the handling of the country's political issues by the present administration. In short, the "government supported" mainstream media is perceived as not providing a balanced coverage in comparison to social media which the young urban educated Malaysians seek out to satisfy their curiosity for information and freedom in discussing issues deemed too sensitive in the mainstream media.