Nenggiri victory a start of long journey to regain support - Mohamad

UMNO AGM | BN’s victory in the Nenggiri by-election does not necessarily mark Umno’s full recovery, particularly in terms of Malay support for the party.

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said efforts to restore confidence and regain the trust of the Malay community in the party will continue to be an agenda and an important focus for Umno at all levels.

“The success in the Nenggiri by-election, although sweet and a significant momentum for Umno, is not a benchmark for the party's complete recovery.

“The success in Nenggiri is only the beginning of a long journey that is more arduous and challenging. The major lesson from the by-election is that Malay support is not static. It is dynamic.

“It can shift in tandem with the dynamism of candidates, strategies, and issues presented,” he said during his speech tonight at the opening of the general assembly for Umno’s three-party wings, held at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur.

In the Nenggiri by-election last Saturday, BN, through its candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, successfully reclaimed the Nenggiri state seat.

Azmawi, also known as Awie, defeated PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail with a majority of 3,352 votes.

He garnered 9,113 votes, while Rizwadi, known as Ustaz Wadi, received 5,741 votes.

Commenting further, Mohamad said the Malay community has yet to show clear signs that they have returned to supporting Umno.

“The reality is that the Malays have not yet clearly shown that they have started to return to supporting Umno in large numbers.

“We must work many times harder for the victory of Umno candidates... Umno, on the other hand, cannot live in denial,” he said.

Restore confidence

Mohamad also stressed that being part of the current government should not cause Umno to become complacent.

He said efforts to restore confidence and support of the Malays must continue to be intensified.

“We are not fully in power. Instead, we are currently only a complement to the unity government.

“Let us not, because of our shared position in the government, become complacent in our responsibility to heal and restore the community's confidence in Umno,” he added.

Mohamad also reminded Azmawi to take good care of his constituency as expected by the people of Nenggiri.

The Rembau MP said there are many issues in the area that need to be resolved and warned against neglecting the constituency.

“Don’t act recklessly after winning; take good care of your constituency. Don’t always think about going to Kota Bharu and Kuala Lumpur, stay in Nenggiri, Gua Musang only.

“What’s important is to care for the people who voted for us, the voters who have placed their hopes in us.

“The people in Gua Musang or Nenggiri don’t want us to build twin towers, they don’t want us to build an airport; nobody is going to fly near Gua Musang,” Mohamad advised.

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