Unlike in Europse, frustration over living costs has remained contained partly because the government has shown it is listening, says political analyst Syaza Shukri. (EPA Images pic) PETALING JAYA: Political fatigue and doubts about whether protests can bring about change may explain why young Malaysians are not taking to the streets, despite sharing many of the frustrations driving demonstrations across Europe, says an academic.
Youth protests have erupted in countries such as France, Italy, Spain and Portugal over low wages, unaffordable housing, rising living costs and problems in education, with some demonstrations even turning violent.
Universiti Malaya political scientist Khoo Ying Hooi, who studies social movements and protests, said that while young Malaysians share many of the same frustrations as their European counterparts, they lack a sustained, independent youth movement organised around economic demands.
