Don't Be Too Comfortable With Nenggiri By-election Win - Mohamad

REMBAU, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan has reminded the Barisan Nasional (BN) machinery not to become complacent with the coalition's victory in the Nenggiri state by-election.

He said this was because every election is different, especially when taking into account the demographic factors of certain areas.

"Let's not get carried away by the 3,000-over majority win in the Nenggiri by-election and feel that we can also win the Mahkota by-election comfortably.

"We also must know that Nenggiri is a rural area and almost 99 per cent of the residents are Malays. As for Mahkota, it is an urban area where the residents are multi-racial, with Malays making up 57 per cent, Chinese 34 per cent and Indians seven per cent.

"It is a multi-racial constituency and a different background compared to Nenggiri. The voters too have different opinions,” he told reporters during the Kota state assembly Ziarah Kasih programme here today.

The Rembau Member of Parliament said over 50 per cent of the Mahkota constituency's voters are young and aged below 40 and, as such, the campaign approach needs to be different.

"These young voters are often influenced by social media, so the BN and the Unity Government machinery must enhance our campaign on this platform,” he said.

Asked about candidate selection, Mohamad said he has asked the Kluang UMNO Division and the Johor State UMNO Liaison to shortlist the names of those with calibre for evaluation.

"Insya-Allah, we have many candidates with calibre in BN. However, we will choose one who can fulfil the needs of the voters in Mahkota,” he said.

The Election Commission has set Sept 28 as polling day for the Mahkota by-election, while the nomination and early voting dates are Sept 14 and 24.

-- BERNAMA