KUALA LUMPUR – Who in Umno is brave enough to defend their leaders when they are heavily criticised, asked party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
In his speech, he said many are only focused on sharing viral issues instead of speaking up to woo voters.
“We must remember that politics today is not politics of development.
“In fact, politics today is the politics of issues and voter sentiment. We need to know this,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after launching a Kota Melaka Umno event today.
Zahid said yesterday’s loss in Sg Bakap did not signal the end of the political pacts among the unity government parties, especially in facing the next by-election.
He added that the political parties will continue to work on winning the next poll.
“We accept (defeat), that was the people’s decision…this is not the end for any candidate in the unity government.”
Opposition bloc Perikatan Nasional retained the Sg Bakap state seat with PAS’ Abidin Ismail securing a more than 4,000-vote majority, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Joohari Ariffin.
Also, Umno will be fielding a candidate in the Nenggiri state seat in Kelantan, hoping to make an impression in the PN stronghold.
The Election Commission has set the Nenggiri by-election for August 17, with the date of candidate nomination and early voting on August 3 and 13, respectively.
This comes after Mohd Azizi Abu Naim lost his Bersatu membership, and Kelantan Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah declared the state seat vacant on June 19. – July 7, 2024