BN to maintain traditional campaigning in next election

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SIBU: Several state BN leaders believe the use of traditional methods of campaigning like going house to house to meet voters, rallies, posters and banners, radio and TV adverts are still needed to reach a wider segment of society and voters.

State BN secretary-general Datuk Dr Stephen Rundi said personal touch with the people in particular rural folk remained their pillar of strength.

“It is not about changing or shifting our strategy, but a matter of adapting to the needs of the new aspirants, and, of course, we are looking at every angle holistically in order to win people’s support,” he said yesterday.

Dr Rundi, also Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Electricity and Telecommunications), was asked if Sarawak BN would shift to online campaigning in the 11th state polls as first time voters are from the younger generation.

Bernama reported Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as saying BN component parties must change their general election campaign strategies from face-to-face communication to online or non-verbal communication.

Zahid Hamidi said the change was necessary as 6.2 million first-time voters are from the younger generation, who prefer to interact via the social media.

Meanwhile, PBB Supreme Council member Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said: “Winning the heart and mind of voters can be done in many forms, including what Umno vice-president Zahid Hamidi called for.”

Abdul Karim, also Assistant Minister of Youth Development and Asajaya assemblyman, noted that voters came from various age groups, career backgrounds, academic level, ethnic, urban and rural settings and as such reaching out to them required various modes.

It would be unwise to adopt online campaigning as the only mode, he opined.

He said that might just reach a certain segment of the society and voters.

“I believe political parties still need to use the orthodox method of campaigning, like going house to house to meet voters, rallies, posters and banners, radio and TV adverts.

“Online campaigning is just one minor mode,” Abdul Karim said.