Umno's Nenggiri victory marks potential turning point - KJ

CYBERJAYA - Umno's victory in the Nenggiri by-election demonstrates the party's continued competitiveness in its traditional strongholds, according to former Umno Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

However, Khairy cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from a single by-election result.

"We can't make that conclusion from one by-election but I think there are definitely pivotal moments in the parliamentary and I think this could be one of it," he said when met by reporters at Myra Cove Phase 2 launch at Myra Cove Sales Gallery.

Khairy added that this by-election might indicate that the erosion of Malay support for Perikatan Nasional (PN) has been at least contained.

He also highlighted Umno's ability to remain competitive in rural and semi-urban areas, including the Federal Land Development Authority's (Felda) settlements and Orang Asli communities, as a reflection of the party's enduring relevance in these regions.

"It is a pivotal and consequential election victory. It's a by-election, a state seat in Kelantan.

"Not many people know about the seat or what it stands for, but I think it could be established over a few by-elections and could be a turning point for Umno," he added.

The Nenggiri state by-election featured a one-on-one contest between Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri, also known as Awie, and Pas candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, representing Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Azmawi, who is also the Kelantan Umno Youth Chief, secured 9,091 votes, defeating Rizwadi, who garnered 5,739 votes.

The results were announced by returning officer Nik Raisnan Daud at the vote-tallying centre at Dewan Perdana, Kompleks Perdana, Gua Musang District Council.

BN had held the seat for four consecutive terms since it was first contested in 2004 but lost it to PN's Mohd Azizi Abu Naim in the Kelantan state election in August last year.

Azizi, who contested under the Pas ticket, defeated BN's Ab Aziz Yusoff by a majority of 810 votes.