LUMUT: Barisan Nasional is determined to recapture three seats in Lumut currently held by Perikatan Nasional, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman said the three seats are the Lumut parliamentary seat as well as the Pangkor and Pasir Panjang state seats.
He outlined four conditions he said are critical to regaining voter confidence and winning the seats in the 16th General Election.
"Firstly, Umno and Barisan leaders in Lumut must stand united, with no room for division. Our political opponents are not as strong as we think… it is our internal weaknesses and the loss of confidence in our own party that have hurt our cause the most.
"Old habits such as backstabbing, blaming leaders and finger-pointing must stop immediately.
"Unity within the Lumut division is the first and foremost condition for victory," he said when officiating the Lumut Umno representatives meeting at Dewan Merdeka, Majlis Perbandaran Manjung on Sunday (July 6).
Also present were Perak Umno chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad and Lumut Umno chief Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Ahmad Zahid also said victory cannot be achieved alone, and urged Umno members to strengthen ties with their partners in MIC and MCA who are currently facing challenging times.
"They stood by us during our hardship. Now it is our turn to support them, to ensure Umno and Barisan candidates dominate both state and parliamentary seats again. The same goes for our cooperation with Pakatan Harapan, " he said.
Thirdly, he asked the party to let go of the past and accept today's political reality.
"As part of the government, we can no longer act like the dominant party of the past, making demands at will. The people are watching and evaluating our maturity. Arrogance and pride must be abandoned,
"We must show that Umno has changed, ready to regain public trust through humility and wise strategy," he said.
Zahid also highlighted the importance of social media as a critical battleground, especially among young voters.
"Youth and Puteri Umno must lead the digital narrative. Engaging voters with relevant, respectful, and convincing content is essential in rebuilding trust.
"This is our final opportunity to win back all three seats in Lumut. We must not waste it, " he said.
