KUALA LUMPUR: Winning the Nenggiri state seat is crucial to prevent Umno from becoming insignificant in Kelantan, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He stated that even a win by a single vote was still a victory and instructed that all lawful means should be employed to achieve this in Nenggiri.
Ahmad Zahid mentioned that while it was too early to predict the outcome, there was concern as Umno already lacks representation in Perlis, Kedah, and Terengganu.
"I visited Nenggiri six times to campaign.
"We cannot yet predict if we will win the Nenggiri state seat. We already do not have state reps in Perlis, Kedah, and Terengganu.
"However, even though the opposition state government in Kelantan was strong, Umno still only managed to get two state seats in the last state election.
"Winning Nenggiri is a must so that we do not end up as a mere tombstone in Kelantan also. Furthermore, if Umno wins Nenggiri, it will be the third pillar for Umno to boost its politics in Kelantan.
"I have instructed the campaigners to do everything in accordance with the law to ensure we win the state seat," Ahmad Zahid said.
He made these remarks during an interview with the media on Saturday (Aug 17) ahead of the upcoming Umno general assembly.
The Nenggiri by-election was called because the seat was declared vacant by Kelantan state assembly speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19 after Mohd Azizi Abu Naim ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
In the state elections last year, Mohd Azizi, who contested using the PAS logo, defeated Barisan candidate Ab Aziz Yusoff with a majority of 810 votes.
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