'Stop talking about BN's loss of Malay votes' - Abdul Halim

JOHOR BAHRU - Allegations that Barisan Nasional (BN) lost 27,000 Malay votes in the Pulai Parliament and Simpang Jeram State Assembly by-elections on Saturday do not need to be made.

Johor Umno secretary Datuk Abdul Halim Suleiman said it was due to BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) already winning the by-election, and the claims were no longer relevant.

"This victory proves that the hard work of the Umno machinery that sincerely fought to win the PH candidate bore fruit.

"The claims that there were Umno members not voting and supporting Perikatan Nasional (PN) were simply assumptions. For those who worked under this, this is a victory in the by-election.

"If he (Isham Jalil) spoke in his capacity as an Umno Supreme Council member but did not go on the ground to help, there's no use in it," he told reporters after attending the Tebrau Merdeka Ride 2023 in Felda Ulu Tebrau here on Tuesday.

Isham on Sunday claimed BN lost 27,000 Malay votes in the by-election, which may have been caused by Malay voters not voting or choosing to vote for PN.

Meanwhile, Abdul Halim, who was the Tebrau Umno division chief, said what's important is that the machinery is prepared to work hard to ensure the unity government founded by PH and BN continues to become stronger and more trusted.

He said the victory in the by-election proved the BN government in Johor and the central government successfully established understanding in determining the victory of the candidate from Party Amanah Negara (Amanah).

"This proved that in forming the government, Umno and BN truly succeeded in translating it effectively for the by-election," he said.

He added the low voter turnout was influenced by several factors, such as voters not returning home or simply thinking the by-election was not important, but it did not affect the chances of PH-BN winning.