PONTIAN: In the wake of the 14-day campaign for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election, contesting parties and candidates need to come up with a strategy to penetrate the so-called “black” polling areas for them and look for “white” sections to ensure their victory.
The ability to identify accurately these white and black areas, and even grey areas (those with a 50-50 chance of winning), would be the most important factor for success.
However, the question remains as to how to make sure the interpretation of white, grey or black is done correctly and to change the colour of the area through concerted efforts.
Each political party has its own strategy in identifying the colour of a particular area.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) machinery officer Azlina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq said they would distribute survey forms and mini-brochures on a candidate at designated locations as well as obtain feedback from residents and the local community.
“Some welcome us with open hearts, smiling and chatting. Some close their doors. Some hang their party flags at the fence. There are all kinds of ways (to show their support),” she told Bernama.
PPBM president Muhyiddin Yassin said in comparison with the 14th general election (GE14), the response in some “black areas” had improved through house-to-house visits and ceramahs for all races and religions.
“We explain the importance of voting, especially to young voters. Whatever response we get, PH needs to work hard,” he said.
Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president, said in terms of changing the colour of an area, many different ways could be used by the party’s leadership. Sometimes, using the local dialect as well as keeping up with their culture and food breaks down barriers.
“If we can communicate in Javanese, then we’ll do it. The voters in Tanjung Piai are diverse. So, we need to have various strategies,” he said.
Gerakan candidate Wendy Subramaniam, who is facing candidates from two major political parties, PH and BN, said she is trying to penetrate the black or grey areas by reaching out to the people in coffee shops and public markets early in the morning.
“I prefer approaching the voters and hearing out their problems,” she said.
Political analyst Mohd Akbal Abdullah said the areas are classified according to the polarisation of the voters, based on current issues, their preferred parties and leaders.
He explained issues that arose before the campaign would be the focus of the voters.
“Voters are getting smarter and they know what to do. Different approaches are necessary. If the area is white, the machinery needs to increase the party’s supporters to keep the people there happy.
“For grey area, there should be more information on the party’s stand on current issues so that the voters are clear and there will be no misunderstanding.
“If the area is black, they have to work even harder. They can take the risk to enter the area or just ignore it totally.
“The colour of an area is not absolute and depends on the efforts of election workers within these two weeks,” he said.
The Tanjung Piai parliamentary by-election was called following the death of incumbent MP Dr Md Farid Md Rafik, 42, of PH, on Sept 21 due to heart complications. Polling is on Saturday.
The by-election is seeing a six-cornered fight involving Karmaine Sardini (PH), Wee Jeck Seng (BN), Wendy (Gerakan), Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz (Berjasa) and two independent candidates — Dr Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar.