The hipster subculture is the latest trend that young people subscribe to, and which has received special attention from both global and local policy-makers.
Even WikiHow.com, an online database of how-to guides, has uploaded information on how to be a hipster in terms of fashion, health, lifestyle, indie entertainment and socialising.
In Malaysia, hispterism which has been growing for the past few years, has even caught the attention of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is carrying out the duties of UMNO deputy president.
When opening an UMNO division delegates meeting recently, he called on the party leaders to understand the subculture in the move to win the hearts of young urban voters.
The hipster subculture is mainly associated with affluent or middle-class youths with a preference for indie or alternative music, and have varied non-mainstream fashion sensibility, generally progressive political views and alternative lifestyles, among the new trends.
Among the party leaders who have adapted well to hipsterism is Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, who is also UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth leader who is the perfect example of how the subculture could be placed side by side with politics.
Not only does Khairy speak, dress up and act like a 'true blue' hipster, the 40-year-old Rembau Member of Parliament also has the natural talent of mixing around well with the young, no matter from which race or background they come from.
And the impact of this can be seen from his 1.4 million followers on Twitter, 456,000 on Instagram, and approximately one million likes on his Facebook.
Since appointed as Youth and Sports Minister, Khairy has successfully initiated several programmes that have significantly put the millennials closer to the ruling government.
National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN) executive director, Norizan Sharif described this group as quite ambitious and prepared to take up any challenge, and work within their own group, besides preferring to be less dependent on the government.
"What the government needs to do is to engage with this group, and facilitate their business needs and requirements," he suggested.
Former Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia sociology lecturer, Dr Fatimah Abdullah feels that politicians and the government need to engage with this group in various activities including volunteerism, arts, gardening, crafts, and even creative writing so that their talents can be nurtured.
"Try to be appreciative of them, then the millennials would feel they are part of society and their existence well recognised," she said.
A young Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) lecturer, who wished to remain anonymous, said the approach must be made in line with the youth's aspirations.
"For example, setting up AKHI (Akademi Kepimpinan Kapten Hussein or Captain Hussein Leadership Academy) by UMNO Youth is a good start in order to be close to the young. The way the programmes are conducted - quite casual and laidback... will put young people at ease.
"But the hipster kind of approach must be comprehensive because the needs of today's youths vary. Some of them like to be engaged on official or professional platforms like the Youth Parliament or AKHI, while some prefer to be engaged in an unofficial basis like a teh tarik talk or something similar."
He said communication would be successful if their grouses were heard and addressed accordingly over issues like the lack of affordable homes, rising cost of living, and employment.
"I think these are (among) the pressing problems faced by the urbanites," the lecturer said.
Azraei Muhamad, the author of 'Enam Angka Menjelang Dua Puluh Lima', believes that it is crucial for the government and politicians to have a better understanding of the hipster generation.
"In this era of free access to information, there is a need for more engagements between the government and politicians and the rakyat, in order to empathise with the people over issues and problems, and to take the necessary action," he said.
Bernama
Mon Aug 22 2016
![Malaysian politicians need to understand hipsters Malaysian politicians need to understand hipsters](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-12/81449286787_khairyjamaluddin.jpg)
One politician who adapts well to hipsterism is Khairy Jamaluddin - the perfect example of how the subculture could be placed side by side with politics. - fotoBERNAMA/ File
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