One voice: (From left) Razlan and Nur Jazlan.
PETALING JAYA: Umno’s victorious outing in Nenggiri will set the tone for the party general assembly, but members will tread the issue with cautious optimism, describing the win as “just one of many battles”.
The by-election results have given Umno a much needed morale booster, especially after a poor showing in the past two general elections.
“We are jubilant, yes. But if you are expecting a celebration, you will be disappointed.
“Umno is certainly grateful for the win, but we are very much aware of the long and arduous road ahead to recapture voters,” said a senior party member.
Supreme council member Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi said Umno members will attend the general assembly with renewed confidence and stronger determination to win back voters’ support and confidence, especially among the Malays.
“The outcome in Nenggiri will certainly be debated at the assembly, but I don’t expect any chest-thumping scene,” he added.
“One way to keep the Malays with Umno is to ensure the party, despite the existing power sharing situation, continues to champion the Malay agenda.
“This is what Umno ministers in the unity government must do and delegates may want to press on this issue,” he said.
Pulai division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Umno’s recent success at Nenggiri is a confidence booster for the party.
“The result showed that we won big and were able to take on Perikatan Nasional in the Malay heartland to regain our support.
“It also serves as a reminder to our Pakatan Harapan partners not to take Umno lightly as there is a chance for us to gain more parliamentary seats in the next general election if Bersatu collapses,” he said.
Nur Jazlan said the win would also put a stop to Pakatan blaming Umno for losing Malay support.
“They always blame us for not getting support from the Malays. It was Umno that helped PKR and DAP get the Malay votes during previous by-elections,” he added.
Sungai Buloh division committee member Rahman Hussin said the mood at the assembly would be different with the win in Nenggiri and this could be the rallying call which Umno members had been waiting for.
“We are very much aware of the battles ahead, including Mahkota (by-election), Melaka and Johor state polls and the next general election.
“But the win in Nenggiri has given us renewed hope and I believe this is what party members will bank on as we pursue to remain as champion of the Malays,” he added.
Seputeh Umno chief Datuk Razlan Rafii said party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to present a “report card” of Umno being in the unity government, in particular initiatives for the Malays and bumiputra.
“Our detractors claim that it will be hard for Umno, being part of the unity government, to fight for the Malays. I believe what the president will present will say otherwise,” said the supreme council member.
Razlan gave an example of the Bumiputra Economic Transformation Plan 2035, an idea that was raised during the Bumiputra Economic Congress. The congress was mooted at last year’s Umno general assembly.
Puad said some delegates would raise the fate of former president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, but believe it would be in a “different tune”.
“If previously, the call was for Najib to be freed, this time delegates will be asking for the former prime minister to be given fair trial, with him facing ongoing court cases,” he added.
Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar said Nenggiri would be seen as the main trigger for Umno’s revival and continued survival in national politics.
Despite the buoyant mood, Hisomuddin said the Umno leadership would have to respond to the party’s relationship with Pakatan, particularly DAP. He said Umno delegates must also be given assurances by the party leadership that it is still making an effort to defend its former president.
“This is because a segment of Umno members, who sympathise with Najib, feel disappointed that he had not been defended well,” he added.
