KOTA KINABALU: Political parties contesting the upcoming state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan must recognise that Malaysia’s political landscape has changed significantly, said Sabah Inspector General of Projects Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Salleh Said Keruak.
He said that with the Election Commission (EC) expected to announce the election dates soon, political parties can no longer focus solely on their traditional support base, as new voters and the growing silent majority are increasingly playing a decisive role in determining election outcomes.
“There are now more young voters and first-time voters in the system. At the same time, the number of hardcore party supporters is declining, while the silent majority continues to grow. The ability to win their confidence may well determine the outcome of the election,” he said in a Facebook post today.
The former Sabah Chief Minister and Sabah UMNO Treasurer said more voters are now evaluating parties and candidates based on issues that have a direct impact on their daily lives.
According to him, key concerns among voters include the economy, cost of living, employment opportunities, governance, leadership credibility and the future direction offered by political parties.
“Voters are also increasingly looking beyond party labels. They want elected representatives who are approachable, remain close to the people and continue serving throughout their term, rather than appearing only during election season and disappearing afterwards,” he said.
Salleh acknowledged that this election presents unique challenges, particularly as some parties that cooperate at the federal level may find themselves competing against one another at the state level.
As such, he stressed that election campaigns should be conducted professionally and responsibly, with a focus on state issues, policies, performance and the solutions offered to the people.
“The focus should be on state issues, policies, performance and solutions, rather than personal attacks or attempts to create political hostility,” he said.
He also reminded political leaders and party machinery to exercise greater caution when making public statements, especially in the age of social media where information can spread rapidly.
“In the era of social media, a single statement can go viral within moments, creating unnecessary tensions and triggering prolonged public confrontations,” he said.
Salleh noted that healthy competition is an essential part of democracy, but political maturity requires all parties to compete on the basis of ideas, performance and leadership while maintaining mutual respect and good working relationships.
He added that electoral success today depends largely on a party’s ability to offer credible leadership and practical solutions to the people.
“Ultimately, elections are no longer determined solely by traditional supporters. They will be heavily influenced by new voters and the silent majority who are looking for credible leadership, practical solutions and a genuine commitment to serving the people,” he said.-pr/BNN
