ALOR STAR: Umno must change its approach to earn support from young voters who do not view politics of development as the most important element in supporting political parties.
Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said the young voters are more inclined towards integrity, ideas and the vision of political parties in steering the country to greater heights.
"The young voters no longer view the politics of development as the only way to earn their support.
"It is more of the issue of integrity, idea and vision to steer the country to greater heights.
"Most of the young voters now are highly educated. Hence, the challenge is how to meet their diverse expectations," he said in a press conference after opening the Alor Star Umno division delegates meeting at Bangunan Tunku here today.
Present were Alor Star Umno division chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and division leaders.
Shamsul, who is also the Deputy Home Minister, said while politics of development are still relevant in certain constituencies, it is no longer the main factor in wooing support from the young voters.
"Some youngsters believe that regardless of which party that forms the government, it is obliged to build roads, schools and hospitals.
"They are more interested in integrity, idea and vision because they believe these elements would lead towards better development for the country," he said.
He added that Umno must adopt approaches that suit different demographics in each constituency to woo support from the young voters.
He also stressed that the one-size fits all approach such as politics of development is no longer relevant.
"The demography in each constituency is different from one to another. For Sabah Umno, politics of development is still a key factor, and so in certain constituencies in Kedah.
"But in the majority of the constituencies nationwide, the young voters do not share the same thinking," he said.
he pointed out that Umno must drive all the changes while holding firmly to its fundamental struggles.
"That is why I suggest that Umno sticks firmly to the party's principles, but we must change our approach to serving the people.
"Umno has no choice but to change. If we still stick to old approaches while the people have changed, we are worried that Umno will suffer a more devastating defeat (in the next general election) compared to what we have experienced before," he said.