PETALING JAYA: Despite the rise in digital campaigning, physical engagement remains indispensable in the Johor election, say political leaders.
They said many voters still prefer meeting candidates face to face, while limited Internet coverage in certain rural and semi-urban areas also makes traditional campaigning necessary.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said a hybrid campaign combining physical and digital outreach is the most effective approach for Barisan Nasional, particularly Umno.
“Social media and face-to-face engagement remain relevant because they resonate with different target groups.
“House-to-house visits and meeting voters personally remain our main modus operandi when distributing candidates’ brochures,” he said.
Asyraf said the two-week campaign period set by the Election Commission (EC) is sufficient.
This is because Barisan and Umno have a presence in every locality, village and residential area through their branches, he said.
“Our machinery has been serving the people and delivering assistance throughout the past four years, not appearing only when elections approach,” he added.
Johor PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Mahfodz Mohamed also said physical campaigning remains the most effective way to canvass for votes.
“That said, both face-to-face campaigning and campaigning through social media are equally important and effective,” he noted.
He said both approaches complement each other, particularly in Johor’s 73 Felda settlements, where many younger voters actively use social media while older ones prefer direct personal engagement.
Mahfodz added that a longer campaign period would have been preferable, given the large size of Johor constituencies, some of which have between 50,000 and 100,000 voters.
PAS Dewan Muslimat chief Senator Nuridah Mohd Salleh said face-to-face engagement will continue to be the cornerstone of the party’s election campaigns.
“Politics is not just about delivering messages. It is also about building relationships and trust.
“That is why we go out to meet the people, visit communities, shake hands and listen directly to their concerns,” she said.
Nuridah added that PAS also leverages digital media as a complementary platform to ensure the party’s message reaches all segments of the electorate.
Bersatu Youth wing Armada information chief Harris Idham said physical campaigning should be targeted at specific groups to maximise its effectiveness.
“Handshake greetings are effective to an extent among elderly voters and local residents who want to meet candidates personally, rather than attend organised political programmes.
“For younger voters, handshakes do not matter as much. The candidates’ vision, popularity and policies are more important,” he added.
Johor PKR stalwart Hassan Karim said voters place greater emphasis on a candidate’s personal presence and accessibility than on party branding alone.
“Johor society, whether in the kampung or in towns, is still very much a human society and not one made up of digital or AI creatures,” he said.
Drawing on his campaign experience in Tanjong Surat, Pulai Sebatang and Senggarang, the Pasir Gudang MP said candidates are spending long days on the ground to meet as many voters as possible.
More than 2.7 million voters in Johor will head to the polls on July 11, while early voting is scheduled for July 7.
