In the wake of Malaysia’s State Election on August 12th, 2023, the Kelas Demokrasi project geared up its efforts, building on the achievements of Malaysia’s 15th General Election. Fahmi Reza, project lead for Kelas Demokrasi, emphasises that empowering youth is key to building a strong and progressive nation. The core ethos of the project are centred around fostering positive change in youth to counter the detrimental effects of being apolitical or showing blind loyalty to political parties or politicians. Fahmi’s unwavering reminders to both voters and representatives echo the resounding principle of ‘Rakyat Adalah Boss’ – where the people are the ultimate boss in democracy!
This year, Fahmi dedicates his focus to creating dynamic content and tailored classes specifically designed for first-time voters participating in the State Elections. This new phase places a strong emphasis on topics related to democracy within the state and local government.
Engaging Video Modules
Kicking off the project, Fahmi has created a series of engaging and easy-to-understand educational videos. These video modules have been strategically disseminated across his social media platforms to captivate the interest of first-time voters. To date, Fahmi has produced an impressive set of 10 fresh videos, collectively amassing over 2 million viewerships on TikTok, 1 million views each on Twitter and Instagram.
Live Learning on TikTok & Instagram
Every evening from Monday to Friday at 10 PM, Fahmi hosts interactive online classes through both TikTok Live and Instagram Live. These sessions provide a unique opportunity for participants to engage directly with Fahmi, resulting in an average nightly viewership of 3,000 to 5,000 individuals.
Kelas Demokrasi On-Tour
While the initial plan to conduct Kelas Demokrasi on campus faced constraints due to public institutions being on semester breaks, the project adeptly pivoted the strategy. Instead of the traditional campus tour, the initiative transitioned into a comprehensive tour of public and private spaces across the 6 PRN States. A notable exception was the successful classes conducted at Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, Kedah and Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. These condensed 2-hour sessions serve as a crash course, meticulously tailored to equip young Malaysians with the knowledge and skills essential for making well-informed decisions before voters cast their ballots.
To date, Fahmi successfully orchestrated eleven (11) free in-person classes across 6 states directly involved in the state elections. classes were held in key locations such as Sg. Petani and Alor Setar in Kedah, Georgetown in Penang, Kota Bharu in Kelantan, Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu, Bangi, Petaling Jaya, and Keramat in Selangor and the initiative concluded with a final class in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
This accomplishment was made possible through invaluable assistance provided by youth advocacy groups YPolitics, Arus Anak Muda, MyCatalyze, Ajar Demokrasi along with support from the Democracy Discourse Series.
Unveiling the Website
Finally, on August 1st, Fahmi unveiled the official website, www.KelasDemokrasi.com. This platform serves as a centralised hub for the compilation of Kelas Demokrasi’s bite-sized video content. Designed to cater to first-time voters aged 18 and above, the website offers easy access to a wealth of informative content.
Beyond its role as a repository for educational materials, the new website takes a proactive stance against misinformation propagated by politicians and their followers. By addressing crucial topics, such as clarifying the jurisdiction over water-related matters, and dispelling unfounded claims about potential changes in the Federal Government’s composition following the State Election, the website aims to promote clarity and accurate information. Notably, the website will continue to feature new video releases even after the conclusion of the election.
Kelas Demokrasi project stands as a testament to the power of education, engagement, and active citizenship. With the unwavering dedication of Fahmi and the collaborative spirit of his team and supporters, this endeavour shall continue to impart essential knowledge and critical thinking skills to the next generation of Malaysian voters. By championing the ideals of ‘Rakyat Adalah Boss’, Kelas Demokrasi continues to nurture a generation that values the principles of democracy.
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