THE carnival-like atmosphere and the sight of politicians, microphone in hand and gesticulating when speaking on a makeshift stage in elections, could soon be a thing of the past in Sarawak if the trend most candidates have adopted this year is a sign of things to come.

The police have approved hundreds of applications to hold ceramah but crowds have reportedly dwindled.

Supt Douglas Nyeging Taong said yesterday police had approved 265 applications for ceramah and 198 the previous day.

DAP still favours the nightly ceramah but a cursory scan of the various candidates’ daily campaign schedule show they are packed with walkabouts for impromptu meet-and-greet sessions as they reach out to the voters.

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Petra Jaya, Fadillah Yusof, appears to have embraced the new trend, opting for more walkabouts and a chance to meet young voters.

Today, for example, he had breakfast with young voters in Tupong, one of three state seats that make up Petra Jaya. The other two are Samariang and Satok.

In the afternoon he joined Kampung Semariang Lama youths, in the rain, for a gotong-royong session, followed by an ice kacang break with youngsters in Satok, at one of Kuching’s favourite ice kacang shops.

The adult voters, the ‘converted’, are not totally forgotten.

The time for them is slotted in between the youth engagements, such as after Friday prayers, where he attended at Masjid Darul Hana in Kampung No 6, or after the Asar prayer at Masjid Darul Ibadah at Kampung Semariang Lama.

After dropping by briefly at his operations room, he rounds up his day in a late-night meet and greet session with youngsters at Silat Betawi Cikgu Ali ring in Kampung Siol Kandis.

It is understandable to see where Fadillah’s priority lies, with 34,500 voters ages 18 to 29 in a constituency of 110,000.

There are 8,200 Undi18 voters and 26,300 between the ages of 21 and 29.

Fadillah said he is pleased with his engagement with young voters since campaigning started.

“They seemed to be comfortable with us and I think they are with us,” he told reporters after his breakfast at Rends Burger.

“I believe they are now aware of our plans. They said they have seen the benefits and could feel them.”

Fadillah said his interaction has also been on the various social media platforms. – November 11, 2022.