KOTA KINABALU: Umno is focused on getting support from "voters on the fence" as almost half of the electoral roll is made up of this group of people, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
“This is just a rough calculation. We estimate that about a quarter support us and another are for the ‘other side’ while the rest - about half - are grey voters,” the Umno secretary-general said during a press conference at the Barisan Nasional convention here on Saturday (July 2).
He said this was why Barisan must be more aggressive in going to the grounds and ensure voters understand what the coalition has to offer.
Ahmad said BN's machinery must approach voters through various methods including social media and via non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
“They watch us and see what we can do so we must prove that we are capable,” he said.
He said the "ABCDE" formula - Amanah (Trustworthy), Bijaksana (Wise), Cekap (Efficient), Dedikasi (Dedicated) and Efektif (Effective) - would hopefully achieve this objective.
Asked about some concerns faced by the people including the rising cost of living, Ahmad hopes the newly formed inflation task force would play its part well in bringing down the cost of goods.
“This is also an issue Barisan prioritises on addressing. We want to ensure that the price of necessities is brought down,” he said.
To a question on how the party hoped to attract more young voters, he said Barisan promises education, skill, business, employment, housing and welfare opportunities for the youth in the country.
On other matters, Ahmad said he was surprised to see a full hall of Barisan supporters at the convention held at the ITCC hall in Penampang near here.
Earlier, the event's secretariat Datuk Jafry Ariffin said the start of the convention was a wake up call for BN election machinery and leaders in the state to work harder and be more aggressive in approaching voters.
“We have been doing our jobs all this while but now, we must work extra hard and do more,” he said.
He said a host of programmes, including the "Blue Wave programme" had been planned in all 25 divisions and six zones in Sabah for this purpose as well.
