KUALA LUMPUR: Umno's success during the Nenggiri by-election will serve as a catalyst to strengthen unity and solidarity within its ranks, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Umno president said that the results of the polls have galvanised the fighting spirit among party members.
"The win has somewhat changed the situation for Umno," he told reporters at the World Trade Centre here on Wednesday (Aug 21).
He said this year's Umno general assembly would focus on strengthening the bumiputra economic agenda.
"In the long term, we will ensure that our national agenda is translated and implemented.
"It is the responsibility of the seven Umno Cabinets members and six deputy ministers and must be supported by the grassroots leadership," he said.
Ahmad Zahid noted that the general assembly would also discuss efforts to strengthen and restructure Umno's machinery.
"While 16th general election may still be some way off, we need to prepare now," he added.
In a stunning reversal of fortune, on Saturday (Aug 17), Barisan Nasional clinched victory in the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan, snatching the seat PAS won in last year’s state election.
Barisan candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani had secured 9,091 votes, while Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, who ran under the PAS banner, had 5,739 votes.
