MUAR: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) yesterday admitted that it would be difficult to make any prediction on the choice of young voters in the upcoming Johor State Election.
The party said the involvement of voters from 18 to 21 years old, who will cast their ballot papers for the first time, would not only pose challenges to Bersatu but also to other parties contesting in the state election.
Bersatu's information chief Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan said no party can proclaim to have confirmed voters, as the young people would be the deciding factor.
"Young voters are the group that brings new challenges to the parties. Therefore, we must show our seriousness and sincerity by approaching them with meaningful pledges.
"This is one of the good things about democracy and politics in the country. We cannot be sure (who will win), because they (young people) can decide to vote either party A or party B, or not at all," he said after attending an event at Kampung Parit Haji Ali, last night.
He said there was a 28 percent increase in the number of voters in Johor, with 749,731 voters aged 18 and above following the automatic registration of Undi18.
"Armada (Bersatu Youth) and the youth members of Perikatan Nasional (PN) are tasked with a strategy to reach out to the young people.
"PN will also come up with a balanced line-up in the state election, consisting young people, women, individuals with professional backgrounds and experienced candidates," he said.
Wan Saiful added his party had already obtained the names of hopeful candidates from the state and coalition parties in PN.
"However, we still need to go through several processes. We have to remember that Bersatu is in PN, therefore PN will make the decision.
"The situation in Johor is quite different, as it is a big state with diverse demographics. As such, our strategy will be different," he said.
Wan Saiful also hoped that the campaigning period would be more flexible to allow the candidates and the parties to convey their message to the people in the most effective way.
"While online (campaigning) still applies and should be given priority, many people prefer to engage personally through ceramah and house-to-house visits, which should be allowed with strict adherence to the standard operating procedures (SOP)," he said.