Virtual campaigning the way to go in Sarawak Polls

KUCHING, Dec 9 -- Concerns over the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic and the decision by the Election Commission (EC) to disallow physical campaign activities in selected constituencies have led the 12th Sarawak State Election candidates to switch to virtual campaigning - and it’s proving to be a hit.

Of the 82 constituencies, 64 are allowed to have physical ‘ceramah’ or political talks due to poor internet access.

Checks by Bernama around the southern region of Sarawak, especially in Kuching, such as in Satok, Padungan, Batu Lintang and Batu Kawah, found that campaigning activities were carried out minimally and more focused on the social media platforms.

In Sarawak’s central and northern regions, although physical ceramah or talks are allowed in some areas identified as having poor internet access, contesting candidates and parties choose to diversify their campaigning methods without wanting to rely on conventional face-to-face methods.

State DAP chairman. Chong Chieng Jen, said the party’s campaign machinery remained smooth running as planned, including organising talks and live interaction sessions on social media sites, as well as home visits in small groups for permitted areas.

He described the campaign process for the state election this time as quite challenging but remained optimistic that the voters in the Padungan would carry out their responsibilities on polling day even though the campaign activities were carried out to a minimum.

In Batu Kawah, incumbent Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, who is also Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president, also emphasised on the use of social media by releasing a video of his achievements as the constituency’s elected representative since 2016.

Apart from that, SUPP Batu Kawah also mobilised its ‘war truck's vehicle equipped with LED screens, speakers and a mobile stage, to campaign around the constituency.

“We started using the war trucks on Tuesday (Dec 7) and these trucks will go around the commercial and housing area of ​​Batu Kawah to send our message to voters,” he said.

A different situation is seen outside Kuching as contesting candidates and political parties have been conducting campaign activities beyond social media platforms. Some of them have been employing various tactics and antics to grab the attention of voters.

Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) has taken a bold approach by introducing their five beautiful candidates who are contesting in several constituencies in Sibu, through the use of giant billboards that may make you think that they are product ambassadors, on several main roads in the city.

Also grabbing the spotlight is Bukit Assek's independent candidate, Hii ​​Tiong Huat who campaigned alone at the Sibu Gateway, by setting up a tent and putting up a banner featuring a key logo, in his effort to appeal to the public’s vote.

In the northern part of Sarawak, the constraints of campaigning activities did not stop the candidates from various political parties contesting in the Sarawak polls to continue to reach out to voters in their respective constituencies.

There is also a candidate who has been using his daily exercise and Facebook live stream sessions to engage with constituents to provide the latest information to their supporters as well as get to know local issues and people’s well-being.

In addition, there are also political parties using mobile trucks to carry out campaign activities to disseminate party’s manifesto to the local community.

It seems that all candidates have been using social media platforms in the best possible way in their respective constituencies, both in urban or rural areas.

The EC has set Dec 18 as the polling day for the 12th Sarawak state election.

-- BERNAMA