Umno needs different strategy in Mahkota by-election - Ku Li

KUALA LUMPUR - Umno needs to adopt a different approach in the Mahkota by-election if the party wants to maintain the winning momentum from the Nenggiri by-election.

Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said that Mahkota had mixed voter composition, which differs from Nenggiri and thus requires a distinct touch.

"The situation in Mahkota is different. I feel that in Nenggiri, almost one hundred per cent of the voters are Malay. So, we were only facing Pas.

"In Mahkota, I believe it is different because the seat has a mixed voter base and even though the majority is Malay, the influence of non-Malays is also strong.

"So, a different strategy is needed and the actions taken by party activists must differ from those practised in Nenggiri," he told reporters at the Umno General Assembly at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL) on Friday.

He made these comments while discussing whether Umno could maintain the winning momentum seen in the Nenggiri by-election for the upcoming Mahkota by-election next month.

Additionally, he said that Barisan Nasional's (BN) victory in Nenggiri not only indicated a return of Malay support to Umno but also suggested that Umno would continue to receive support in the future.

"If we meet their demands and not just talk but also act, I believe they will support us.

"If we demonstrate that our actions are sincere, voters will increase their support for us and perhaps this will lead to many Malays returning to Umno," he said.

When asked about the existence of a 'green wave' in Kelantan, he dismissed the notion.

"The 'green wave' is just talk. I do not believe there is a green wave. This is probably just Pas’s propaganda to strengthen their narrative," he said.