SOCIAL media has become a useful communication tool as parties scramble to reach young voters in the state elections.

Party leaders said their members are talking to their target audience via Tik Tok, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Bersatu youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said social media is the best means to reach out to voters, especially the youth.

Malaysia has 1.44 million voters aged between 18 and 20.

“Most of the content we share are about what the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration had done and achieved in 2020-2022,” he said. 

“We also point out the government’s weaknesses, wrongdoings and bad policies,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

At the same time, we are also telling people what we will do for them if we win, said Wan Fayhsal said.

Six states are headed for the polls. Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang are governed by Pakatan Harapan and Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu by PN.

Wan Fayhsal said Bersatu is also reaching out to the youth through events and programmes.

“Activities are wide-ranging, from sports-based to social activities. For example, in Titiwangsa, Bersatu has conducted a social media workshop for the public.

“In some constituencies in Perak, sports competitions like futsal, dart and snooker tournaments were organised.”

On preparations for the polls, Wan Fayhsal said the Bersatu machinery has remained active after the general election last year.

Youth activities

Selangor Umno Youth chief Mohd Imran Tamrin agreed social media is the best way to reach the youth.

“We also have to promote activities that the youth enjoy, for example, e-sports or by getting them to join hobbies,” he said.

The Sungai Panjang assemblyman said Umno must also share its principles and mission with the youth.

“We have to show that the party is progressive, accountable, inclusive and has integrity. We also have to talk about our policies, such as affordable housing and jobs for the youth. 

“We are starting to get more positive feedback after the general election.”

Ampang PKR youth chief Iman Haziq said new voters are usually fence-sitters.

This is because they are unsure which is the better party to lead the country,” he said.

“We aim to organise as many programmes as we can to attract the youth.

“We can see that Undi18 voters are e-hailing riders, part-time workers and doing small businesses. To attract them we have organised futsal matches, carnivals and concerts. We also hold programmes at the universities.”

He said social media will play a huge part in the state elections and that the PKR youth wing has been advised to go on the various platforms to promote the party.

“We are mostly on TikTok and Instagram. They are our weapon of choice to target the youth and share the party’s policies and initiatives.

“In Selangor we have many programmes for the youth but the news has not reached them.

“So we are using the various social media platforms to explain to the youth what the state can do for them.” – June 12, 2023.