Feedback from me (Sazli), first-time PSM volunteer on the ground for N.25 Kajang. As this is my first time volunteering on the ground, please forgive me if I seem to be out of touch or lacking in experience.

Campaign messages need to have some key differentiating factors, and given special emphasis very early on. For example, many common terms used in political campaign & manifesto (including the term “manifesto” itself!) have been hijacked and corrupted by career politicians / political parties in the past. So by now all manifestos look “likely false promises” to common folk, who already have been suffering from such political fatigue for years. In our case, the 2 differentiating factors I can see were:-

1. Local Candidate - Arul active in Kajang since 1991
2. Local Issues - Arul's past work in Kajang since then, including in MPKj council, and how manifesto continues this proven track record (not just empty promises)

The way campaign messages are disseminated to public also needs to be diversified. As with other political parties, official party social media posts do not resonate to common folk as they see them as party propaganda. However if perceived non-political “influencers” pick up the same messages and post their own positive takes on them, it will resonate more to the public. For example, perhaps PSM non-member volunteers should be encouraged to not merely sharing the official party posts, but rewrite them on their platforms to suit their respective audiences.