Umno must be more cautious with voters' attitudes
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno needs to be more cautious about voters' attitudes, which have become increasingly likely to expose anything they see as unfavourable to them, said its deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno must exercise restraint in gauging voters' sentiments, which have become increasingly sensitive to anything perceived as unfavorable, Deputy President Mohamad Hasan cautioned. He likened voters to journalists and described them as relentless, ready to record, comment, and disseminate information—an era defined by digital natives.
While acknowledging that Umno could cooperate with other Malay political parties, Hasan stressed against arrogance, warning against assuming a winning formula too soon. Malays disdain arrogance, he emphasized, and the party must be prepared for criticism, ridicule, and complaints, as the electorate is highly critical. He cautioned that the party must not overextend itself or boast about controlling any situation, as the "wild card electorate" is characterized by its critical nature.
Mohamad acknowledged the unpredictability of voter attitudes since 2018, noting that interests take precedence over loyalty. He cautioned the party against being misled by apparent support for Malay dominance, asserting that such support is temporary. Umno has previously suffered significant rejection from the Malay community, and voters view political cooperation involving various new political brands as an opportunity to experiment, according to the Rembau MP.
He urged Umno to broaden its perspective and stop interpreting successes within a narrow framework, as the party has been both the subject and object of experimentation by voters in the past. Younger voters, he described as the "wild card electorate," prioritizing the cost of living, inflation, employment opportunities, and home ownership.
Their attitude is materialistic, focusing on tangible benefits and allocating resources accordingly. Identity remains important, but policies are assessed based on material gains, with ideology taking a secondary role. Mohamad stressed the need for Umno to remain innovative and explore new strategies, avoiding the trap of red-ocean competition in a crowded market.
He emphasized that voters' attitudes and interests will continue to be challenged in each election cycle.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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