Kesan Politik Alam Sekitar Kepada Pilihan Politik: Kajian Kes Di Kawasan DUN Jitra, Kubang Pasu, Kedah

The Influence of Environmental Politics on Political Choices: A Case Study of the Jitra State Constituency, Kubang Pasu, Kedah

Abstract

ABSTRAK
Perubahan dalam lanskap politik Malaysia menunjukkan peningkatan kepentingan isu alam sekitar dalam kalangan pengundi. Kajian ini bertujuan untuk meneliti pengaruh politik alam sekitar terhadap pilihan politik pengundi di kawasan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Jitra, Kubang Pasu, Kedah. Pemilihan kawasan ini berdasarkan faktor sejarah politik, demografi, serta pembangunan sosioekonomi setempat yang memberi impak terhadap corak pengundian. Kajian ini menggunakan kaedah mengumpul data lapangan yang melibatkan temu bual dan pemerhatian di lapangan. Hasil kajian mendapati bahawa terdapatnya tahap kesedaran yang tinggi terhadap isu alam sekitar dan menyedari kepentingannya dalam kehidupan seharian. Isu alam sekitar wajar diketengahkan dalam kempen politik kerana ia mencerminkan keprihatinan calon terhadap kelestarian. Tambahan pula, isu ini dilihat mampu mempengaruhi pilihan politik khususnya dalam kalangan pengundi muda dan berpendidikan. Sumber maklumat politik utama dikenal pasti adalah media sosial dan komunikasi tidak formal. Seterusnya, faktor utama yang mempengaruhi pilihan pengundi ialah calon dan parti yang dilihat berintegriti serta peka terhadap isu tempatan. Keseluruhannya, terdapat sokongan terhadap gabungan BN+PN dalam pilihan raya akan datang. Kajian ini penting untuk memahami hubungan antara kesedaran alam sekitar dan kecenderungan politik, serta diharap dapat menjadi rujukan kepada pihak berkepentingan dalam merangka dasar dan strategi politik yang lebih lestari dan berkesan pada masa hadapan.
Kata kunci: politik alam sekitar, pilihan politik, pengundi muda, kempen politik, kesedaran

ABSTRACT
The evolving landscape of Malaysian politics highlights the growing importance of environmental issues among voters. This study aims to examine the influence of environmental politics on political choices among voters in the Jitra state constituency, Kubang Pasu, Kedah. The selection of this area was based on its political history, demographic characteristics, and local socioeconomic development that may affect voting patterns. This research employed field data collection methods including interviews, and on-site observations. The results of the study found that there was possessed a high level of awareness regarding environmental issues and acknowledged their significance in daily life. Environmental concerns should be emphasized in political campaigns, as they reflect the candidate’s commitment to sustainability. Furthermore, environmental issues are perceived to influence political choices, particularly among young and educated voters. The main sources of political information identified were social media and informal communication channels. Additionally, key factors affecting voter decisions included the integrity of candidates and parties, as well as their responsiveness to local issues. Overall, there was indicated support for the BN+PN coalition in the upcoming elections. This study is vital in understanding the link between environmental awareness and political tendencies, and it is hoped that the findings will serve as a reference for stakeholders in formulating more sustainable and effective political strategies in the future.
Keywords: environmental politics, political choice, youth voters, political campaign, awareness