State polls: Umno is losing Malay ground, says Puad Zarkashi

JOHOR BARU: Winning only 19 seats out of the 108 contested in the six state elections showed that Umno is losing Malay ground, says Datuk Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi.

The Umno supreme council member said the party was once again faced with a big challenge in the Aug 12 state elections.

“It is not easy for Umno to find a new formula. It is still a winding road ahead for the party.

“However, Umno should not panic until they want to leave the unity government.

“The focus should be on the people and country’s economy,” he said in a Facebook post on Sunday (Aug 13) in the wake of the state election in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Mohd Puad also said party members, who lost in the polls and aged 45 and above, should not contest in the next election.

“Holding a party post is not a free ticket to become (an election) candidate.

“Umno ministers must deliver and avoid the people from feeling meluat (annoyed) by the party,” he said, adding that the party needs to communicate a new narrative to the people.

Voters chose to maintain the status quo in the six state polls.

The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional pact kept Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Penang while Perikatan Nasional retained Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.