Just hold live debates on TV
These ceramah and door-to-door campaigns are a legacy of 1951, which was 70 years ago, when there was no TV, Internet, mobile-smart phones, and very few had access to radio. That was a time when very few people owned cars and the mode of transportation were bicycles.
NO HOLDS BARRED
Raja Petra Kamarudin
Since there will be no ceramah and door-to-door campaigns, and to ensure a level playing field, just organise one or two live debates on TV — between Nomination Day and Polling Day — like the more civilised countries.
These ceramah and door-to-door campaigns are a legacy of 1951, which was 70 years ago, when there was no TV, Internet, mobile-smart phones, and very few had access to radio. That was a time when very few people owned cars and the mode of transportation were bicycles.
Times have changed over the last 70 years and the method politicians and political parties reach the voters today need not follow the 1951 model. Today, information is at the tip of your fingers.
The Presidents (or Chairmen) of Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional — the three contesting coalitions in the Melaka state election — can debate various topics agreed by the organiser(s) of the debate.
There are many issues of concern or interest to Malaysians, and these issues can be debated with each coalition giving its views and stand on each issue.
This method is not only more mature and civilised, compared to screaming and shouting on stage and throwing down the microphone to add some drama to the spectacle, but it will also be more informative and will allow the voters to know what they will be getting by voting for one or the other of the coalitions.
I would not want to pre-empt the issues or topics to be debated, but amongst some of those concerns are the Sharia laws and RUU355, Article 153 and Bumiputera privileges, Chinese schools and education, Covid-19 and the economic impact on the economy, corruption and abuse of power, transformation-reforms and good governance, selective prosecution and political persecution, the citizenship policy, LGBT rights, etc.
These issues are only the tip of the iceberg, as there are probably dozens of issues of concern, but a good strategist would pick the top ten issues which represent 90% of the county’s problems. Each of the three coalitions not only can inform the Melaka voters, but the whole of Malaysia, what their policies are so that voters can make an informed decision on who to vote for and not vote because Anwar Ibrahim looks cute dancing on stage to Tamil songs.
