A smart chap in an aging party of a rapidly changing nation - @khairykj
When asked if the Malaysian government will ever fully embrace social media, Khairy replied, “We have no choice. We will be punished severely and very quickly if we don’t.”
He said the biggest obstacle to achieving this ideal was the existing mindset.
He explained that some of the older BN members still did not understand the importance of social media.
Even those who did, operated under the misconception that it was an end in itself rather than a means to one.
Khairy said they were likely to think, “Kita orang sekarang ada Facebook. Confirm boleh menang.”(We have Facebook now. We are sure to win.)
“It’s not about communicating when your product is shit. If it’s a shit product, it’s a shit product, whether in politics or the kaki lima.”
He was of the opinion, however, that sites like Twitter help to humanise politicians in the eyes of the public.
Its not about the government embracing social media or not. Its about finally learning to reach down to the grassroots. The government by and large used ceramahs before, and now its time to engage the audience that don't go to ceramahs. So happens social media is hot today. Why? Because it allows feedback.
Having a facebook page is no guarantee of winning anything. That's the exact mentality we should be voting out at the next general elections. Having good policy, making people happy, etc. that's what's going to win votes.
I particularly enjoy his comment about communicating with regards to a shit product. Very candid. Maybe that's something people will learn from the entire @BNYouthLab exercise - people want change. Not necessarily a change in party, but change in the way things are done. Can BN make change, is of course, the larger question. Opposition voters feel no. But as we've all seen, Malaysia is pretty split (march 08 2008 shows that).
Agree that Khairy seems more human now to me. And I think many others. As evidenced what was written about 6 months ago: http://www.bytebot.net/blog/archives/2009/09/17/why-politicians-should-use-tw...
Smart chap in an aging party of a rapidly changing world.