SHAH ALAM - The prediction by former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin that 50 percent of the party members would vote for Perikatan Nasional in the state election was a good sign for the coalition.
Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said he feels that the votes given stemmed from the frustrations with Umno's leadership for cooperating with DAP in the unity government
"They no longer support Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's leadership especially after cooperating with DAP and for no longer fighting for Malay rights.
"That' why Umno members are looking for a new vessel to aid in their struggles and the fate of the Malays. It could only be found in PN," he said when met by Sinar at the Karangkraf Group Complex on Tuesday.
Khairy predicted that Umno would lose half of their Malay support in the upcoming state elections if they did not remove the negative perceptions towards DAP
The former Rembau MP claimed that Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan's statement to 'vote DAP' as sensitive to a point where it sparked rage and rejection among party members.
However, his statement was rejected by Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii because it was classified as agitating individuals with the intent of seeking popularity.
Razlan stated whether the prediction is correct or not it must be seen in the state elections.
He questioned on where Khairy heard of such figures before making the prediction.