Perak MB: Voters looking more closely at candidates’ track records
IPOH: The “brand” or name of a political party makes little impact on voters these days, says the Perak Mentri Besar.
Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic) said voters now focused more on candidates and whether they stood up for the people’s interest.
“Back then, people recognised political parties’ brands, but there are just too many now. So what is more important is the candidate, who must be the right person at the right time,” he said in his speech at a Perak MCA election training workshop held here yesterday.
Also present were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong and his deputy Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon, who is Perak MCA chairman.
Saarani, the Perak Barisan Nasional chairman, said a candidate must be well-liked by the people and recognised.
“Speaking on behalf of the people on issues faced by them is equally as important. We must also have a good machinery to promote our candidates on what they have to offer,” he added.
Saarani said Barisan lost in the previous state election due to a trust deficit.
“The younger voters are not the same as the older ones. They didn’t see the glory days of MCA but saw them at their lowest,” he said.
The MB said young voters were starting to support MCA again as was evident in the recent Johor and Negri Sembilan elections.
He said in the days before independence, villagers experienced hardship, adding that the progress achieved was now evident for all to see.
Saarani urged Barisan component parties to start identifying their candidates, predicting that the state or general election could be held anytime within the next year.
“Potential candidates must have personal ties with the people. Get to the ground ... go to houses, populated locations and playgrounds to meet with people,” he said.
“The parties also need to work as a team, and continue helping each other.”
