JOHOR BARU: Despite winning the Pelangai by-election, Umno still needs to work harder and prove to the Malays, in particular in Felda areas, that safeguarding their rights is the party's top priority, say analysts.
Dr Mazlan Ali said that Umno should not take it easy after its expected victory in the recently concluded Pelangai by-election as Perikatan Nasional had made inroads in Felda schemes there.
"Umno still faces issues in regaining Malay support. Perikatan's ability to draw a lot of Malay votes from Felda schemes shows that Umno is losing out on the perception game being played," the political analyst of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia's Razak Faculty Perdana Centre said when contacted here on Tuesday (Oct 10).
Mazlan added that Malay voters were still concerned over Umno's working relationship with Pakatan Harapan, in particular DAP, in the unity government, and issues surrounding Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said that with four more years before the next general election, Umno has its work cut out.
"Umno must not change its principle of safeguarding the Malay rights and strengthening Islam because Bersatu and its Perikatan ally, PAS, are playing up the Malay and Islamic agenda to get support.
"As it is in the government, Umno must make sure that the Malays such as Felda settlers, who are their core supporters, will continue to receive government support," he added.
In the by-election last Saturday, Barisan Nasional's Datuk Amizar Abu Adam (Umno) secured 7,324 votes while Perikatan's Kasim Samat (PAS) got 4,375 votes, and Independent Haslihelmy DM Zulhasli received 47 votes.
Meanwhile, Felda Air Tawar 3 settler Sahaman Biran, 75, said he would continue to back Umno and Barisan.
He added that it was the younger Felda generation that wanted to see change, which was why they voted against Umno in the last few general elections.
"Umno and Barisan are still strong in Felda schemes around Johor because of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"During Najib's time as prime minister, Felda settlers received plenty of windfall from the Barisan government. But after he lost, we no longer have it," he said, adding that he was hopeful that the current government would continue to help Felda settlers.
Felda Ulu Belitong second-generation settler Wan Zafrul Haikal Wan Haris, 32, who works as a marketing executive in Johor Baru, has concerns about Umno leaders.
"Our parents always told us to support Umno but its leaders have corruption cases. It's hard for voters like me to support Umno if it refuses to change," he said.
