KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional's (BN) victory in the Nenggiri by-election is driven by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's growing popularity, said former law minister Zaid Ibrahim.
"Umno's big win has little to do with their resurgence or sudden fondness for leader Zahid Hamidi (Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi). It has everything to do with Anwar Ibrahim's popularity," said Zaid in a post on X today.
The opposition 'colossal' loss, he added, was due to Anwar's decision to increase civil servant salaries.
Zaid also cited the introduction of automated teller machines (ATMs) in the area as factors contributing to the Nenggiri win.
"What now about the Pas / Bersatu alliance? It will grow weaker by the day. Without power and money, what politics can you talk about? Their strong performance was during the days when Muhiyuddin was Prime Minister," he added.
"The long and short result is this — if the leader can be generous with development and handouts and keeps reminding the Malays about their Islamic struggles... the leader will be accepted."
"It does not matter much about other issues like reforms, or change, or promises in the manifesto, he said in the posting.
BN captured the Nenggiri state seat after its candidate won the by-election last night.
BN's candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani garnered 9,091 votes, defeating Perikatan Nasional's Rizwadi Ismail who received 5,739 votes.
The Nenggiri seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19, following Mohd Azizi's expulsion from Bersatu on June 13.