UNINTERRUPTED internet connectivity and free data services will be vital for political parties to reach out to voters in the Malacca elections, political observers said.

Analysts expect parties to use social media for their campaigning, after traditional methods were barred by the government.

Observers also said that parties should also think of other creative campaign methods, and urged the government to consider allowing small scale gatherings with tight standard operating procedures (SOP).

A blanket ban is in place for all election gatherings until November 27 to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19.

“With no physical gatherings, it is left to social media to reach the voters. Young voters rely on Facebook, Twitter and online news to read about politics.

“The older generation also have smartphones. It is up to political parties to target their audiences,” said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia lecturer Mazlan Ali.

However, he urged the government to allow small scale gatherings of at least 50 people.

“They should make it a little easier. This state election is not like the Sabah elections, where we didn’t have vaccines. Ninety per cent of adults have been vaccinated now, so come up with an SOP,” he added.

The authorities appear to be determined to crackdown on any form of gatherings related to the polls with PKR the latest party to fall foul of regulations, fined RM10,000 for its “no crowd” ceramah where the party pitched its message from a moving truck.

Previously, Muda, which held a press conference in Malacca with five people, was also fined.

Meanwhile Barisan Nasional (BN), which launched its election machinery from Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur was also compounded.

Hisommudin Bakar of Ilham Centre said it was nonsensical for the government to allow restaurants and shopping malls to open but not allow political gatherings.

“The irony is people can gather elsewhere, but political gatherings are not allowed. The Election Commission as the body that handles election related matters must determine these issues,” he said.

However, he said that with the ban in place, it was up to the political parties to think of creative ways to do their campaigning.

“Political parties need to be creative, other than using social media as a campaigning tool, maybe they can use moving vehicles with loudspeakers to get their message across,” he added.

Malacca will go to the polls on November 20 following the collapse of the state government after four lawmakers withdrew support for chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

This is the second change of government in Malacca since the 2018 general election. BN had maintained a strong hold over the state from 2008 to 2014, but the state fell to Pakatan Harapan (PH) in 2018.

However, the PH government proved to be short-lived, when in March 2020, DAP’s Pengkalan Baru representative Norhizam Hassan Baktee and PKR’s Rembia assemblyman Muhammad Jailani Khamis defected.

There are 28 seats in the Malacca assembly.

Increase internet connectivity, free data

Meanwhile, former Bersih secretariat manager Mandeep Singh said the government must increase internet access in Malacca during the campaign period.

He added that state radio Malacca FM can also give slots to political parties in the evening.

“The government can work with telecom companies to increase internet connectivity during the elections. 

“They can also offer free data services so that, during the 12 days of the campaign period, every voter can surf the internet without affecting their data plan.

“Radio slots can be given to all parties from 5pm to 10pm daily. State radio can easily be accessed by everyone,” he explained.

A party worker for Amanah told The Malaysian Insight that social media was going to be the opposition’s main method to reach voters.

“We are preparing what is needed and I think some of the information has been disseminated online.”

He said, as a party worker, he will wait for further instruction from party leaders to carry out their campaign methods.

BN, PAS, Perikatan Nasional, PH and Muda will contest in the Malacca elections.

Pejuang has chosen not to compete, saying the polls would not improve the livelihood of the people in Malacca. – November 1, 2021.