KOTA BHARU, Nov 10 — During the campaigning period for the 15th General Election (GE15), candidates contesting will definitely go to the field to meet and greet voters in their area or bring gifts to those sick, elderly and bedridden.
While checking around some parliamentary areas in Kelantan, Bernama met several voters who voiced that candidates contesting must not show favourtism but should be fair and treat everyone equally when meeting or handing our contributions to the people in their constituencies.
A Pengkalan Chepa parliamentary constituent, Zul Fadhli Rosli, 31, said any candidate who is contesting should not play favourites and choose who they wish to meet because such an attitude will make other voters feel slighted or insulted.
“Such acts should be avoided because as leaders, they must be fair, meet everyone regardless if the people are rich or poor.
“As citizens, we are not asking much, just approach us to find out how we are doing and what problems we are facing, instead of just meeting their ‘people’ even though they are from different political parties,” he said when met today.
Meanwhile, a constituent in Kuala Krai parliamentary, Siti Nooratikah Ab Aziz, 27, said the people are now much wiser in choosing their leaders, so if the candidates are not careful when campaigning they may lose votes and the trust of voters in the constituency.
“We should also not be influenced by the accusations made by others on any candidate, but rather we should do our research before making a decision.
“Nowadays, it is easy to defame anyone through the mass media or social media and this can be detrimental to the candidates themselves if they are not careful,” she said.
Meanwhile, National Council of Professors senior fellow Datuk Dr Jeniri Amir said the candidates running should widen the net and take a more inclusive approach, be open with all age groups and not focus on certain supporters only.
“If they focus mainly on their loyal supporters, this is a campaign strategy mistake because they must remember that among the voters there are still many who are fence sitters and have never enjoyed receiving aid and goodies before.
“When they are being slighted, they (voters) will stay away and lose faith in the candidate who they regard as unfair and biased,” he said.
