PKR will not underestimate Perikatan Nasional (PN) as the party prepares to win over young voters in the state elections, communications director Lee Chean Chung said.

He said the key to attracting the youth is to engage with them, adding that young adults must be informed of PKR’s operations.

“They (new voters) are important as they participate in this political process and influence the direction of the country.

“Engagement is the key. We are not going to just throw propaganda at them,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will hold elections this year.

Lee acknowledged that most of the youth voted for PN, following the “green wave” in the general election last November, which gave Islamist party PAS sweeping wins in a number of states.

“We need to reflect on why the youth is not coming to us and we must not push them more toward PN.

“We understand that first-time voters are fence-sitters. They are trying… and experimenting with their votes.

“We need more social media presence to show them what we offer; then we will be able to attract them.”

Lee said TikTok is crucial for youth outreach.

“Social media is definitely important. We are trying our best to keep up with the latest technology and tools, so that our candidates can capitalise on them.”

Lee said his party is aware of PN’s sway over new voters.

“We have to take this seriously. We have to be careful with Undi18. We are paying special attention to that.”

However, he said Pakatan Harapan (PH) was confident of keeping Selangor because the coalition has done a lot of work in the state.

Nevertheless, he said PN was targeting a two-thirds majority win in the state polls.

Lee said it was ambitious of PN, because most of the state voted for PH in the general election.

“However, we do not underestimate them.”

There are 56 seats in the Selangor assembly.

In 2018, PH won a supermajority of 51 seats to hold on to the government for the third straight term, having first taken the state in 2008.

BN won four seats and PAS, one.

However, in 2020 PH’s share of the assembly dropped to 40 seats, following mass defections during the Sheraton Move.

As for the party’s campaign strategy, Lee said PKR would have to rebut quickly when it is slandered by PN.

“If their attacks are based on facts then we will have to rethink our policy on how we can win and improve.

“I don’t see the need for us to counter propaganda with propaganda. The campaign should be constructive.

“I hope PN can continue to play a constructive opposition role and not just throw around baseless accusations on racial issues and create insecurity.” – February 6, 2023.