BN banks on young candidates and Johor's economic gains to woo first-time voters
The coalition's campaign strategy goes beyond traditional grassroots engagements and now places equal emphasis on social media to reach different segments of the electorate.
SHAH ALAM – Barisan Nasional (BN) is pinning its hopes on a combination of youthful leadership and Johor's economic track record to win over first-time and young voters in the upcoming state election.
BN Youth communications director Neow Choo Seong said the coalition's campaign strategy goes beyond traditional grassroots engagements and now places equal emphasis on social media to reach different segments of the electorate.
"We realise the importance of going to the ground, but at the same time we also emphasise media, especially social media campaigns.
"It works both ways, grassroots engagements and social media campaigns have to go simultaneously because we are reaching different sets of voters," he said on the sidelines of the Sinar Daily Sports Matters football fever podcast, yesterday.
He said while physical engagements remained important, digital campaigns were increasingly crucial in reaching younger voters, many of whom are less interested in politics.
Acknowledging that first-time voters remain an unpredictable voting bloc, Neow said BN's focus is on demonstrating its performance and presenting a younger, more dynamic leadership team.
"Nobody can predict where first-time voters will lean or who they will support, but we hope our performance will help us gain their support.
"You can see that this time BN has fielded a more balanced and younger line-up of candidates. We are expecting a more dynamic, progressive and youthful leadership for the state," he said.
Neow also pointed to caretaker Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi's administration as one of BN's strongest selling points.
He said the state government's achievements in economic development and welfare initiatives should give voters confidence to renew BN's mandate.
"Statistics Department figures showed that Johor recorded one of the highest increases in gross domestic product. These are the achievements that we need to tell the people.
"The state cannot afford to look back. Johor needs to continue progressing through consistent, dynamic and responsible leadership," he said.
Describing Onn Hafiz as a leader whose "performance speaks for itself", Neow said the younger generation should give the current leadership an opportunity to continue proving itself.
"We respect our opponents and do not take this election lightly, but we need to demonstrate our strengths and focus on what we can offer the rakyat," he added.
The Johor state election was called following the dissolution of the state assembly on June 1.
All 56 state seats will be contested, with early voting scheduled for July 7 and polling day set for July 11.
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