Candidates target markets, eateries to meet voters
KUALA LUMPUR: Markets, restaurants, places of worship and private residences are among locations candidates of the 14th General Election (GE14) have been frequenting as the campaign got into full swing from Saturday.
Candidates will start their day at 7am and return home only after midnight.
For most, the conventional method of meeting voters eye-toeye is the preferred way to garner support.
Regardless of whether they are from Barisan Nasional or the opposition, this method is the top choice for candidates as it is what the people want, whether in urban or rural areas. They use this opportunity to explain their party’s manifesto and convince voters.
For BN candidates, the 11-day campaign period is being used to the maximum to talk about the coalition’s manifesto, government policies, plans and, most importantly, to counter allegations by the opposition.
Local issues that are close to the people’s hearts, such as transportation, education, health, security and welfare, are addressed by candidates when campaigning at their respective areas.
Among issues addressed by BN candidates is the incident where 11 people who sought to contest GE14 had their nomination papers rejected.
There is also the issue of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad claiming that his private jet was sabotaged.
Meanwhile, the opposition has continued to harp on the cost of living, urban poverty, economic growth, China’s investments in Malaysia and the Goods and Services Tax.
Aside from the conventional method, more candidates have been using social media to engage with people so that their campaign will be more effective.
Candidates have become more creative as they publish short clips to explain their manifesto, countering allegations and sharing their daily movements.
For example, Muar parliamentary seat candidate Datuk Razali Ibrahim, who is deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, has used his social media accounts to campaign.
He said the BN machinery had learnt its lesson from previous polls, adding that it started using social media to speak directly to the people.
Almost all candidates are using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and messaging applications, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, to campaign online.
Police have warned that they will take stern action against those who spread slander on the Internet.