The crowd at Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) ceramah is not reflective of the support towards the Umno splinter party, said Cheras Umno division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee.

He pointed out that attendance at these ceramah cannot serve as a yardstick to measure if it would translate into votes in the coming general election.

“True, perhaps many attend (Bersatu ceramah), but this is just to hear the opposition run down Umno's image.

“Based on the information, those who attend just want to listen to former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad continue to rant against (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak)...,” he added.

Syed Ali believes that Bersatu would not pose a major threat to Umno in the coming general election.

He said this is because the Malays do not have many choices with regard to a party which is credible and possesses a proven track record.

“Under such circumstances, the Malays will continue to support Umno like what happened in GE13, although the outcome (of the election) then was disappointing,” he added.

Furthermore, Syed Ali said Umno, under the stewardship of Najib, has done its best for the Malays.

As for Bersatu, the Cheras Umno leader said the Malays would not place their trust easily in a party which is collaborating with “racist party” DAP.

He also does not see a significant impact with regard to Pakatan Harapan portraying Mahathir and Anwar Ibrahim as the faces of the opposition coalition.

Meanwhile, Syed Ali urged Umno to exploit the opposition's weaknesses and their lack of unity for the coming general election.

He also called on party leaders to be proactive instead of waiting for the eleventh hour.

“Don't only head to the ground when the election date is announced. Such actions invite the scorn of voters,” he said.