MELAKA: It is too early to assess the public's acceptance of Umno, particularly in Kelantan, following Barisan Nasional's significant win in the Nenggiri by-election last Saturday.
Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the victory achieved by Umno candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani in the by-election can only be considered a reward for the hard work and continuous efforts of party machinery in reclaiming the state seat.
"The win in Nenggiri is an indicator for us to continue our efforts, as winning one seat does not necessarily mean that we have successfully 'controlled' the entire state of Kelantan, which has 42 state seats.
"This is not true.
"The victory of one seat is proof that if we all unite within one party and work together to strengthen the party, God willing, victory will come to us," he said.
Johari, who is also the Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister, said this when met after launching the 2024 National Conference of Palm Oil Smallholders (PKPKS) in Banda Hilir here today.
Last Saturday, Mohd Azmawi Fikri won the Nenggiri by-election, defeating Bersatu candidate, Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.
Mohd Azmawi Fikri, 38, who is also the Kelantan Umno Youth Chief and Gua Musang Division Chief, secured 9,091 votes, defeating Mohd Rizwadi, who gained 5,739 votes.
Meanwhile, Johari said Umno is currently analysing the suitability of campaign strategies used in Nenggiri to be implemented in the Mahkota by-election in Johor.
"We need to assess the strategy first because we have just won in Nenggiri.
"So, we need to analyse, considering Nenggiri and Mahkota (locations); they are different," he said.