KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob told Barisan Nasional youths today that "it is an online war" which is more dangerous than the physical war as the coalition faces the 15th General Elections.
He further told youths that they must win this war as the opposition is using social media to woo voters.
"Our duty is to break these attacks. Don't let the opposition (attack) our weaknesses as seen in GE14 where we could not answer a lot of big issues played up by the opposition.
"They continuously slandered BN and the government as we failed to answer them," he told hundreds of youths at BN youth election machinery launch at Stadium Titiwangsa, here.
The function was officiated by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He further told them about voter increase from 14.9 million to 22 million in the coming elections.
"There are 4 million young voters below 21 years old. The question is how can we improve engagements with young voters," he asked them.
"If we do not engage with youths, it's hard to win,” he said.
During his speech, Ismail told BN youths to campaign as the current government has announced numerous incentives for young voters such as free tablets under Peranti Siswa for B40 students, among others.
"I hope youths will take this chance to show that the government led by BN will look after them,” he said.
General elections are speculated to be held after Ismail Sabri tables the 2023 Budget on Oct 7.
The government has till September next year before the Parliament dissolves automatically to make way for elections. The last elections were held in 2018 and since then the nation has seen three prime ministers being sworn in to lead the country's administration.