LAHAD DATU: Social media plays a significant role in spreading the influence of Umno when used consistently and strategically to convey its direction and programmes, as well as to reach out to the public.
Umno women’s treasurer, Datin Maizatul Maizatul Akam Alawi, said that this approach was effectively utilised by Barisan Nasional during several state elections in Melaka and Johor.
Social media was utilised in a systematic and consistent manner to achieve meaningful victories for BN, she said.
In line with this, she commended the dedication of the Umno Puteri Sabah movement to organising media and TikTok courses.
These courses aim to empower party members and machinery to utilise new media platforms for campaigning in the upcoming state elections, she said.
According to Maizatul, who is also the Lahad Datu Umno vice chief, the implementation of these courses across all Umno zones in Sabah aligns with the suggestion of the Chairman of Umno Sabah’s Communication Body, Datuk Seri Panglima Bung Moktar Radin.
Previously, Bung emphasised the need for Umno members to fully optimise the use of social media to spread the party’s influence in a more positive manner to the people.
“We view the commitment of the Sabah Puteri Umno movement as a positive effort to enhance the knowledge of party members and machinery in utilising social media as a platform to disseminate information about the party’s programmes and policies, as well as address the issues faced by the people at the grassroots level,” she said.
Maizatul said this after attending the opening ceremony of the Media and TikTok course for Zone 6 of Lahad Datu, Tawau, Semporna, and Kalabakan.
The course was officiated by Umno Puteri Malaysia chief, Datuk Nurul Amal @ Along Fauzi, and was also attended by Sabah Puteri Umno chief, Ummi Nabilah binti Datuk Jamal.
The course was conducted in all respective divisions according to their zones.
Maizatul further addedj that in the digital era, everyone should embrace the use of social media as a powerful tool for communication and engagement.
However, how these contents are uploaded and able to attract the attention of the public who read and watch them certainly requires creativity, a creativity that can be learned from experts in this field.
“Through this course, participants will be able to share their experiences of learning from experts in this field, and what we hope is that this knowledge can be shared and disseminated to leaders and members at the division and branch levels,” she said.
In addition, Maizatul also urged Umno members to utilise social media, including TikTok, to defend the party and its leaders from attacks, including extreme provocations and slander by the opposition.
“The opposition has been using social media, TikTok, and so on to attack Umno leaders and the party due to their failure to govern the state and address the people’s issues. The people, in turn, have risen by using social media as a platform to criticise the government.
“However, the opposition’s cyber army blames Umno and its leaders, even though some of their own leaders were once with Umno and are now with the government, capable of helping to solve the people’s problems instead of blaming others,” she said.
Therefore, Maizatul called on Umno members to form a cyber army in all divisions and branches, utilising social media to counter all forms of attacks, slander, and extreme provocations from the opposition.
“We cannot remain silent and accept what is viral. We need to rise and respond to all the accusations and slander that are spread, based on the existing facts,” said Maizatul.
