Nenggiri By-election Provides Guide For BN To Regain People's Confidence- Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- The Nenggiri State Legislative Assembly (DUN) by-election (PRK) provides various lessons to be used as a guide for Barisan Nasional (BN) and UMNO in moving forward and restore the confidence of the people, said BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

Zambry said the victory of the coalition was very meaningful after the Sungai Bakap state by-election in Penang when analysis said the Malays had rejected UMNO even though the candidate was a friend from the Unity Government, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

Therefore, he outlined several observations on the results of the Nenggiri state by-election, including the election of Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani as the BN candidate which gave the coalition many advantages because he was already well-known in Nenggiri constituency for his services.

"BN also changed the method from holding ceramahs to going from village to village in its outreach programme. Even though BN was not heard speaking, members of the machinery were quietly moving closer to voters in in their houses and polling district centres (PDM).

"The Orang Asli areas are also guarded by divisional teams from Kelantan and states that have experience with the Orang Asli, namely Perak and Pahang. Although PN with its PAS symbol also built their tent in the Orang Asli area, it failed to attract support," he said in a statement today

Zambry, who is also the Minister of Higher Education, said the leadership of Kelantan BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub in steering the Kelantan state machinery also contributed to BN's victory in Nenggiri state by-election.

"Besides, Ku Li (Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah) as Nenggiri BN state by-election director, is a very experienced person in his area. He has given advice and provided methods to handle voters in Gua Musang, especially in Nenggiri state constituency," he said.

Meanwhile, Zambry said that BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the team leader also 'took charge' to prevent the attacks of PN Nenggiri by-election director Tan Sri Annuar Musa. 

He said this is because Ahmad Zahid is aware of the challenges ahead of the UMNO General Assembly as well as the efforts of Annuar and his friends who want to make the Nenggiri state by-election a referendum to reject him as UMNO president, thereby rejecting the UMNO party.

Yesterday BN’s candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri recaptured the Nenggiri state seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN) with a large majority of 3,352 votes after obtaining 9,091 votes and defeating his challenger, Mohd Rizwadi Ismail of PAS, representing PN who received 5,739 votes.

-- BERNAMA