Word of caution: Ahmad Zahid (centre) urged Umno to support state leadership in the next general election. - Bernama
LIPIS: Umno will be fielding a candidate for the Nenggiri by-election following a vacancy in the Kelantan state seat, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He also announced the appointments of former Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as by-election director and state party liaison chief Datuk Ahmad Jazlan as operations director.
“The party machinery will be going to Gua Musang to campaign for our candidate. If we work hard and wholeheartedly, victory can be ours.
“We hope this combination (Tengku Razaleigh and Ahmad Jazlan) will bring us victory. Pahang Umno must help our candidate,” he said when opening the Lipis division meeting yesterday.
The Election Commission has set the by-election for Aug 17, with nominations and early voting to be held on Aug 3 and Aug 13, respectively.
The by-election comes after its assemblyman, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, had his Bersatu membership ceased and the seat was declared vacant on June 19 by Kelantan assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah.
In his speech, Ahmad Zahid also reminded Barisan Nasional as well as Umno members in Pahang to be aware of the Opposition’s plans to capture the state in the next general election.
“We must work from now to defend Pahang and to not take the threat lightly,” he told party members, adding that with Perikatan Nasional already the government in four states, it would now train its guns on Pahang.
“In the last general election, we won 16 seats while Perikatan took 17 seats.
“Our friends from Pakatan Harapan saved us with eight seats, bringing the total number of seats to 24.
“Perikatan will be trying to capture Pahang in the next election. I hope Umno and Pahang leaders will not allow them to win.
“We must support Wan Rosdy,” he said, referring to Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
