TAR UMT Alumna Launches Book on Malaysian Millennials’ Political Engagement
May 11, 2026 | Campus News
Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT) hosted a book launch ceremony at its Kuala Lumpur campus on 4 May 2026, with over 300 participants witnessing the unveiling of the publication titled 'Engaging A Generation: Voting Intention and Political Participation Among Malaysian Millennials'.
Authored by TAR UMT alumna Assoc Prof Dato’ Dr Monna Ong Siew Siew, the book is the first publication by a graduate and is based on a doctoral thesis completed at TAR UMT. It presents an evidence-based analysis of how Malaysian millennials think, vote and participate in the political ecosystem, while examining the multi-faceted factors that shape youth political behaviour, including attitudes, subjective norms, political socialisation, perceived behavioural control and social media influence.
“Young people today are constantly exposed to information. However, the information does not always lead to better understanding, and in many cases, it leads to confusion. My book offers timely insights for scholars, policymakers, educators and political leaders seeking to strengthen youth engagement and better understand Malaysia’s evolving political landscape," said Dato’ Dr Monna.
The event was graced by Datuk Seri Ir Dr Wee Ka Siong, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, TARC Education Foundation, and Tan Sri Chan Kong Choy, Chairman of the Board of Governors, TAR UMT. Also present were Prof Dato' Indera Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, President of TAR UMT, and Dato' Chan Wah Kiang, Chairman of TAR UMT Alumni Council.
“It is both an honour and a pleasure for me to be here and witness the launch of this significant academic work. This publication stands as a remarkable achievement, and it reflects Dato’ Dr Monna's commitment to advancing knowledge that is both relevant and impactful to our society,” said Tan Sri Chan in his speech.
On the same note, Tan Sri Chan added that it is important for TAR UMT to establish its own university press department - TAR UMT Press - a move aimed at boosting the University’s scholarly output.
“The creation of a university press is a huge defining step towards academic maturity of any institution. It reflects confidence in our scholarly capabilities and our commitment to knowledge dissemination. Via TAR UMT Press, we aim to document local insights and contribute more actively to the global academic community. It will also serve as a vital platform for our current and future academics to publish high-quality research, ensuring that their work reaches a broader audience and creates meaningful impact,” Tan Sri Chan elaborated.
The book launch concluded with an expert review forum that dissected the book’s findings and its implications for Malaysia's future. The panel experts included Assoc Prof Dato' Dr Monna, Prof Datuk Dr Danny Wong Tze Ken, Professor of Department of History, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Shahril Sufian bin Hamdan, Managing Director of Watchtower Advisory and co-host of 'Keluar Sekejap' podcast, and Prof Dr Ananda Kumar a/l Palaniappan, Director of the Institute for Research Capacity and Publication, TAR UMT.
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TAR UMT is a premier institution of higher learning in Malaysia, renowned for its commitment to 'Beyond Education.' This philosophy focuses on developing essential competencies and values alongside academic knowledge, preparing students for fulfilling lives and careers. With over 310,000 graduates, many of whom are leaders in their fields, TAR UMT is recognised both locally and internationally.
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