Umno Youth will use the party's general assembly 2012, which starts tomorrow, as a platform to win the hearts and minds of voters, particularly young voters and fence sitters.

In the run up to the 13th general election, Umno Youth delegates should be able to brainstorm ideas to bolster the younger generation's support for Umno and the BN.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin reminded Umno Youth delegates to arm themselves with messages from the leaders to the people.

umno standard "These messages will be our strength and we need to extend them to the people. This is a sacred platform, they are free to express themselves, so they have to give constructive ideas that are not saddled with rhetoric.

"We should use this opportunity to tell the outside world that the general assembly is not only for our members or delegates but to send a clear message and signal to the people that Umno is committed to serving the people," he said.

"Umno Youth is able to play a bigger role, particularly in the context of the mind game, that is winning the hearts and minds of the people. It is more important than carrying out routine tasks like hoisting the flag.

"It is not awkward for me to say that Umno Youth should play the same role like Wanita and Puteri wings in canvassing for votes from house to house. At times it is more appropriate for Umno Youth to visit the homes of male youths," he said.

Khairy, who is the MP for Rembau, said young people should know the implication of their votes in the 13th general election, for it would determine their future.

'Young voters are volnerable'

"The fact that young voters are vulnerable and their minds could be shaped is a factor why young voters should be focused by the movement, rather than having a high expectation on those who are oblivious to Umno's services and deeds," he added.

NONE The majority of young people, who included fence sitters and those who could be convinced, should be targeted, he said, adding that the most important weapon was winning the hearts and minds of voters through rational and effective arguments, not mere rhetoric.

The use of new social media such as Twitter , Facebook and news portal was the best way in wooing young people, for more than 80 percent of voters under 40 get the latest information from digital media, rather than the mainstream media.

Khairy said the 700,000 Umno Youth members should go down to the grassroots to get feedback from young people because the era when the government knew best was over.

"No more guessing. We must know what needs to be done from the new generation by engaging with them. We must listen to what they want to say and what they want done for them, not merely listening to them," he added.

- Bernama