08/07/2026 02:33 PM

Johor Polls: PH Candidate Embraces Digital Technology To Reach Semarang Voters

By Kamarul Halim M Kamal

BATU PAHAT, July 8 (Bernama) -- As social media increasingly shapes election campaigns, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Semarang state seat Ramli Abd Hamid believes politicians, regardless of age, must embrace digital technology to remain relevant and connect with voters, particularly the younger generation.

For the 64-year-old Ramli, technological advancements have transformed the political landscape, with social media now serving as one of the main sources of information for voters. As such, he said campaign strategies must evolve to reflect these changes without neglecting traditional grassroots approaches that remain effective.

He said that although he is now in his 60s, keeping pace with technology is essential for anyone involved in politics to avoid being left behind, including in efforts to win the support of younger voters.

“We combine traditional face-to-face campaigning by distributing leaflets, engaging in casual conversations, greeting people and meeting residents at community hotspots, while also visiting vulnerable and needy individuals in their homes.

“At the same time, we document our campaign activities digitally through our social media platforms so that those who are outside the constituency, especially young people, can follow our work and see our performance throughout the campaign,” he told Bernama.

Ramli said platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp are not only used to share campaign activities but also serve as channels to explain the coalition’s manifesto and educate voters on the importance of fulfilling their civic responsibility.

On his campaign priorities, the deputy chairman of Gerak Tani Johor, a non-governmental organisation, said that if elected, he aims to strengthen the agricultural sector in Semarang by promoting the adoption of technology and modern farming practices among farmers and smallholders.

He said most farmers and smallholders still rely on traditional methods, even though the use of technology and modern machinery could boost productivity while reducing dependence on manual labour.

Ramli, who is also active in community work through the Save Malaysia Movement, plans to establish the Semarang economic development centre (PPES) as a one-stop hub comprising an entrepreneurship and business centre, an agriculture and agri-food centre, an employment centre, as well as a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centre.

“The PPES will also serve as a tourism and agrotourism centre, a cooperative and local economic centre, and an investment and economic data centre. It is designed in line with the slogan, ‘Dari Semarang Untuk Rakyat Semarang’,” he said.

He is also committed to pursuing a development approach that combines traditional values with technological advancement to ensure its benefits are enjoyed by the entire Semarang community.

The Semarang state seat will see a three-cornered contest involving Ramli, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Muhammad Syafiq Abdul Aziz, and the incumbent, Datuk Samsolbari Jamali of Barisan Nasional (BN).

The 16th Johor state election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state assembly seats, with the outcome to be decided by 2,727,926 eligible voters this Saturday (July 11).

For the latest news on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.

-- BERNAMA

 

N20: Semarang - 28,753 voters

 

1. Ramli Abd Hamid (PH-Amanah)

2. Muhammad Syafiq Abdul Aziz (PN-Bersatu)

3. Samsolbari Jamali (BN-UMNO)

(2022: Samsolbari Jamali: BN-UMNO: Maj: 5,846)

 

 

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