International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 2017, Vol. 7, No. 6 ISSN: 2222-6990 925 www.hrmars.com Political Participation: Radical Young People in Malaysia Roslizawati Taib Mohd Rizal Mohd Yaakop Faculty of Social Science and Humanities , Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia DOI: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i6/3053 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v7-i6/3053 ABSTRACT This study aims to identify the struggle of young people in Malaysia politics that has long flourished as early as before the country gained the independence on August 31, 1957. Patterns and trends of political participation among youth since independence, proven that their political participation adheres with specific objective. In addition, there are few factors that contribute to their political participation. The factors that motivate them to participate in politic have been recognised since the colonial era and continue until today. Aspects related to their participation existed within the new political landscape of Malaysia. The purpose of this study is to examine three issues such as youth political participation, new political landscape and human behavioural theory. At the end, the findings could answer all questions that have been highlighted in the beginning of this writing. For this purpose, the secondary data were analysed qualitatively. The study identified that there are changes in the youth political participation that happening in stages, increased their participation which leads to reform and peaceful demonstrations. Therefore, a degree of tolerance should be done by the government to meet the demands of the said party. The youth’s struggle contributes particularly to the democratization of Malaysia and as effort in creating a new political landscape in this country. Keywords: New politics, political participation, tolerance. INTRODUCTION The political struggle of the radical young generation in Malaysia has evolved from as early as the days the people struggled for the country to attain independence from foreign colonialism. Their struggle eventually led to the country’s freedom from the shackles of imperialism. Moving on, Malaysian youth political movements owed seeds of contribution through their efforts to make the needs of the majority in society known to the government, so that the needs can be addressed by the government. Patterns and the trends of the young people movement since independence indicates that their participation are motivated by specific objectives. Malaysian youth movement began with peaceful demonstrations but evolved to radicalism over the years due to several factors. Discussions on Malaysian youth political movement since the colonial era have focused on domestic conflicts and the influence of the international political violence that was sparked off by autocratic regime. As a result of the oppressive reign of the government, the people retaliate through violent revolts and demonstrations with the ultimate aim to either compel the government to