KUALA LUMPUR: Umno members need to understand the impact of a hyperconnected world to further move with the times and better engage the people, said party deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Speaking at the closing of the Umno International Forum 2014, Muhyiddin said political campaigns had proliferated on digital platforms, with politicians bridging gaps with voters through social media.
Muhyiddin, who is also deputy prime minister, said the use of multiple means of communication played an increasingly prevalent role in the way politicians connected with people.
“All these seem possible (to be carried out) digitally... fundraising, advertising and personalisation (of approach).
“Witness United States President Barack Obama, who changed the face of campaign marketing in 2008 when he used social media to help raise over half a billion dollars online,” said Muhyiddin.
To illustrate the growing numbers of a borderless digital world, Muhyiddin said Facebook alone recorded 1.3 billion active users worldwide as of June.
“Love it or fear it, the vast world of hyperconnectivity is a reality. To my Umno colleagues, I hope this forum has served as a good starting point for us to truly understand its impact to better engage and serve the people.
“Malaysia is not alone in facing challenges brought about by hyperconnectivity and social media.”
The two-day forum, themed “A Hyperconnected World: Challenges in Nation Building”, was attended by a host of dignitaries, including 127 foreign delegates from countries such as Japan, South Korea and the US.