TELUK INTAN: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's suggestion that DAP leaders should stay away from campaigning in the Nenggiri by-election is seen as a strategy to ensure a victory for the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate representing the unity government.
BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the statement by the Umno Nenggiri by-election director would be discussed at the leadership level.
"The matter mentioned by Yang Mulia (Tengku Razaleigh) is a way of how we want to win (in the by-election).
"Certainly, our (coalition) partner (DAP), besides trying to provide contributions or assistance, (they) are also listening in the spirit of unity because the most important thing is, our candidate needs to win," he said after officiating in the Umno Teluk Intan division meeting here today.
Earlier, the media reported that Tengku Razaleigh had requested DAP leaders to stay away from campaigning in Nenggiri, citing the constituency's supposed "100 per cent Malay" demographic as the reason.
The former Gua Musang member of parliament claimed that the speeches of DAP leaders had always been centred on the interests of the Chinese community.
Zambry said although the opinion was expressed openly, there was no issue concerning BN's stance on cooperation between the component party machinery within the unity government, including DAP.
"We always have discussions together, so certainly Yang Mulia (Tengku Razaleigh) has his views because he is the division chief (Gua Musang).
"However, in the spirit of unity within this government, we will surely adopt the best approach to ensure the victory of the unity government candidate.
"The most important thing for me, regardless of the comments... the most crucial aspect is that the candidate must win in that area," Zambry said.
The Umno Veterans Club has also asked DAP to refrain from participating in the Nenggiri by-election campaign. (https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/07/1081912/dap-told-stay-away-... )
Its secretary-general, Datuk Mustapha Yaakub, acknowledged DAP's intent to assist BN in gaining Orang Asli support, but argued that the party would be ineffective since the Orang Asli in Nenggiri were "Malay-speaking Muslim Bumiputera".
He also warned that DAP's presence might confuse voters and be exploited by the opposition, potentially harming BN's campaign.
On July 18, Umno Kelantan liaison committee chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakob announced that state Umno Youth chief Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani is the BN candidate for the seat. ( https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2024/07/1078316/updated-kelantan-um... )
The Nenggiri by-election will have its nomination day on Aug 3 and polling is on Aug 17.
The seat became vacant following the cessation of Azizi Abu Naim's membership in Bersatu on June 13 after he pledged support for prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in November last year.