MELAKA, Nov 4 – Meeting voters personally remains the best way to understand their concerns, says Kesidang incumbent Allex Seah Shoo Chin, despite the growing influence of social media during election campaigns.
The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate said online platforms could help candidates reach people quickly. However, he believes direct engagement is still important when building relationships with residents.
Seah has been conducting house-to-house visits, attending community events and meeting voters late into the night as part of his campaign for the upcoming Melaka state election.
He said social media alone was not enough to connect with voters.
Instead, meeting residents in person allowed him to listen to their concerns and better understand issues affecting the constituency.
Seah focuses on door-to-door campaign
Seah said his campaign team had been visiting homes and making unscheduled stops at community events.
These visits gave him opportunities to speak directly with residents and gather feedback.
Flooding was among the local issues raised during his campaign.
He estimated that he had met around 20% of registered voters since nominations closed on Oct 31.
Seah hopes to reach as many of the remaining voters as possible by Nov 12, two days before polling day.
He admitted that the campaign schedule had been exhausting, with late-night visits and limited time for meals.
Voter feedback may shape revised manifesto
Seah said feedback from residents would help him understand the issues that matter most to the community.
He also plans to include the concerns raised during the campaign in a revised manifesto for Kesidang.
The approach highlights his focus on gathering public views before finalising local campaign priorities.
Three candidates contesting the Kesidang seat
Seah, who was first elected in 2018, is seeking a third term as the Kesidang assemblyman.
He faces two challengers in a three-cornered contest:
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Allex Seah Shoo Chin – Pakatan Harapan
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Albert Kok – Perikatan Nasional
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Dr Bryan Kek – Parti Bersama Malaysia
Seah said his opponents had every democratic right to contest the seat. He added that his main focus remained on meeting voters and listening to their concerns.
He retained the seat in the 2021 Melaka state election with 14,769 votes and a majority of 10,237.
Kesidang has the highest number of voters in Melaka
Kesidang has 54,910 registered voters, making it the largest state constituency in Melaka by electorate.
The Election Commission has scheduled early voting for Nov 10, while polling day will take place on Nov 14.
As campaigning continues, candidates are reaching out to residents through public events, online platforms and direct community engagement.
Source : AWANI | Rewritten By Minutesmy
