March 10, 2004
Cellphones have become the latest battleground in Malaysia's elections
IOL reports that cellphones have become the latest battleground in Malaysia's elections, with IT-savvy political parties sending tens of thousands of short messages daily to woo voters ahead of the March 21 election.
"The SMS is becoming a craze here. Cellphones are our new battlefield because it is much easier and more effective than a door-to-door campaign. We can reach out to the younger generation," said Kayveas, who is also a deputy minister in the prime minister's treatment".
His Indian-based party on Wednesday launched a campaign dubbed "One million text messages to support the National Front and PM Abdullah." It involves sending out messages to supporters, and getting them to reply in support of the coalition.
But the SMS battle is not without its dirty side.
Messages attacking individuals or parties have been circulated with the sources withheld, prompting UMNO youth wing to set up a monitoring unit in an attempt to counter them."
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