MELAKA: Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) faces a major challenge in converting online attention into votes in the Melaka state election, with analysts warning that digital campaigning cannot replace the grassroots machinery needed to mobilise supporters.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub said the party’s social media reach, boosted by former Economy Minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, did not necessarily indicate support at constituency level.
“The biggest challenge for Bersama is turning support and attention in the digital space into actual votes at the ballot box.
“Even if digital campaigning attracts younger voters, urban communities and those seeking political reform, electoral success still requires local machinery, volunteer networks, recognisable candidates and the ability to get supporters to polling stations,” he told theSun.
Tawfik said reports of modest attendance at some campaign events pointed to the difficulties Bersama faced in establishing a physical presence across the 16 seats it is contesting.
He cited a Nov 1 rally in Alor Gajah, where fewer than 50 people reportedly attended, as an example of why online popularity should not be confused with grassroots participation.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities director Assoc Prof Dr Mazlan Ali said Bersama’s limited local organisation put it at a disadvantage against established political coalitions.
“Social media can generate awareness or likes but state elections still depend heavily on local networks, door-to-door campaigning and machinery that identifies and mobilises supporters.
“In Melaka, there are urban, semi-urban, rural and Felda constituencies. A strategy that works in major cities may not be equally effective in these areas.”
Mazlan said the party also faced the challenge of contesting independently against larger political blocs with established campaign operations and recognised local figures.
He drew attention to Bersama’s previous electoral setback in Johor, where all 15 candidates lost their deposits in July, illustrating the difficulty of converting visibility into electoral support.
Livestreams of Bersama’s Trak Kancil campaign were reported to have drawn around 80,000 views each, although the figures reflected online exposure rather than confirmed voter support.
Sunway University political analyst Prof Dr Wong Chin Huat cautioned against judging Bersama’s entire campaign based on one poorly attended event.
Wong, who personally attended the Alor Gajah event, said a Saturday night Bersama rally in Kesidang featuring Rafizi and former DAP assemblyman Goh Leong San drew a stronger response.
“It was larger and livelier than the DAP’s one in Ayer Keroh with Kit Siang,” he said, adding that the overall Melaka campaign was the quietest state election he had observed.
Wong believes Bersama might be using the Melaka campaign to build a longer-term presence ahead of future contests in Selangor and Penang.
Bersama launched a six-point state manifesto on Nov 2, covering governance, welfare and environmental protection.
Polling for the 28 state seats takes place on Saturday.
