GEORGE TOWN: Penang Pakatan Harapan will take lessons from its Johor state election setback, says its chairman Chow Kon Yeow.
The Penang Chief Minister said the state Pakatan accepted the election outcome with an open mind and would study the various analyses on the factors behind the results.
He said the coalition will review its weaknesses, strengthen its strategies and improve its social media engagement ahead of the next general election.
"We accept the Johor state election results with an open mind and will study the various analyses on why this happened.
"We welcome these views as they can help us address our weaknesses, strengthen our capabilities and refine our strategies so that we continue to be the choice of voters.
"There is no single reason behind the outcome. What is important is that we continue to earn the confidence of the people in our struggle," he told reporters on Wednesday (July 15).
He added that the state Pakatan had begun preparations for the next general election.
Chow said the coalition had formed several sub-committees following its recent annual general meeting, with each committee tasked with submitting progress reports at the next meeting in early August.
He also acknowledged the growing influence of social media on politics, saying it had transformed how people think and consume information.
"Social media has transformed people's thinking and mindset. It has changed perceptions, shaped expectations, created distrust and so on.
"We cannot deny that mastering social media in our campaigns is necessary to deliver the right messages, shape public perception of what the government is doing and respond quickly to allegations and accusations," he said.
Chow also said that suitable arrangements would be made for him to campaign for Pakatan in the upcoming Negri Sembilan state election.
