This is because the current voters are “not only young but well educated and are very well-informed of happenings around them”, he said at a dinner organised by the party’s Bintulu branch here last night.
Masing said the Internet has changed the scenario now.
“It is both a blessing as well as a curse for us. Because of the Internet, we now have the alternative or social media and they have more readership than the mainstream media.
“These alternative media have better reach and are read by different strata of society. Thus, our population, especially those in urban and semi-urban areas, are well informed of happenings around them,” he said.
Masing said they were also more prosperous and had more needs than just the basic requirements.
“So, trying to entice them with minor rural projects or other development projects is no longer practical or effective. Thus, we need to work hard and work smart,” he said.
‘Try some honesty’
He said one of the ways was for the elected representatives to be very sincere and honest with them.
“If we cannot deliver, we must tell them so. We must also always go down to the ground.
“I find that voters are more willing to accept the faults of YBs who work continuously and are always easy to reach throughout their term and not become visible only when the election is around,” he said.
He said this was based on his own experience when he was in the opposition for eight years and could not offer any development project or aid to the people.
“All I had was time and more time, which I gave them. Election after election the voters reciprocated and I won with an increased majority in every election,” he said.
Masing said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government will still be in power after the next general election. The 13th general election is due by April 2013.
He advised the rural voters, most of whom are Dayaks, to support the BN because it has a credible track record of being fair to all.
“You must not experiment with the untested leadership of the Pakatan Rakyat as they are neither united in opinion nor in direction,” he said.
BN hardsells Terengganu minorities
Meanwhile in Terengganu, the Chinese and Siamese who make up only about five percent of the electorate are told their support for the BN is vital for the coalition to remain in power in the state, according Menteri Besar Ahmad Said.
“You must not neglect your responsibility to vote wisely because a wrong decision can prove to be costly in terms of your future,” he said at a programme to fete the Chinese and Siamese communities in the Besut district, Besut night.
Ahmad, who is also chairman of Terengganu BN, said these communities must exercise their right to vote as every vote counted in a general election.
He said a peaceful and politically stable Terengganu would be able to implement various development programmes for the benefit of the people, including the minority communities.
At the event, 100 elderly people from the Chinese and Siamese communities received aid from the state government.
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