All together: (From left, front row) Mohamad, Ahmad Zahid and Dr Wee waving the Barisan Nasional flag during the Negri Sembilan Barisan convention in Seremban. — Bernama
SEREMBAN: Barisan Nasional component parties should engage more with young voters to avoid a repeat of the coalition’s poor performances in the 2018 and 2022 general elections, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman and Umno president said young voters will play a crucial role in the next general elections as they make up more than half the electorate.
He said presently, not less than 51% of the electorate is made up of the young.
“If we do not understand their wants and needs, we may suffer the same fate as previously, so I hope you will continue with efforts to engage with and win them over as we move to regain our dominance,” he said when opening the Negri Sembilan Barisan convention here yesterday.
Also present were Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, and leaders of the Friends of Barisan, which include the Indian Progressive Front, Makkal Sakti, Parti Punjabi Malaysia, and the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma).
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, urged the Friends of Barisan to play a role in wooing the young.
He said Barisan only has 30 MPs and is fortunate to be part of the unity government.
He added that Barisan component parties would not be able to win with the support of only their own members.
He also urged these parties to discuss issues internally if they have reservations about a certain issue.
“The MCA and MIC have remained our most loyal friends and if any of us have a differing view, we can always discuss it among ourselves rather than making public statements. We must not forget that in Barisan, teamwork is of utmost importance,” he said.
Ahmad Zahid said Barisan could only attempt to regain its dominance if it continued to be part of the unity government.
“I must also commend Barisan ministers who have been performing well, and we need to continue this,” he added.
Ahmad Zahid also reminded Umno ministers, leaders, and members to remain loyal to the coalition.
“Party loyalty is extremely important. Do not make any attempt to betray your party and jump ship as we need political stability to continue to effectively serve the people and to come back stronger,” he said.
