The expected election strategy for both sides in the semi-urban and semi-rural seat of Tenang in the coming by-election will focus on appeal to separate ethnic groups in the constituency and more national issues by the PR. Is there another way to do it-especially one which will bring the politics of the country to more modern, policy oriented and non-racial approach? This is a proposal:
Mixed semi-urban and semi-rural seats are actually the fault lines of Malaysian politics. The differences here are:
1. Too much ethnic politicking doesn’t work here-the 3 major ethnic groups are here-half of Malays,1/3 Chinese and 12% Indians as ethnic `king maker’; BN deploy its local ethnic parties to work on 3 etnic groups separately -using 3 separate messages which may not be consistent-a strategy which is supplemented by allocations announcements by various visiting Federal Ministers; PR try to copy this half way and make up for their lack of ethnic campaigners in the 3 major ethnic groups by raising national issues and big ceramahs;
2. Challenges to policies are many-from urban to rural ones. BN will bring out its `only BN can bring development’ weapons-supplemented by real life demonstration of tarring roads, erecting lamp posts etc. PR will attack on the failures of development/corruption to highlight its higher competence and cleaner administration;
So: is there a `3rd way’ to campaign strategy’? This is a sketch/ABC of 3rd campaign strategy in semi-rural seats:
democracy4now
lucia
TP
sicnewsmirisite
timchoo
