Barisan Nasional (BN) is seeking to address dwindling support among city dwellers by initiating an "urban transformation" programme, said a senior Umno leader.
This follows the outcome of the polls which saw the ruling coalition securing only 46% of the popular votes.
Johor Baru MP Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the programme was among issues discussed at a meeting attended by 124 BN lawmakers today, in preparation for the 13th parliamentary session, expected to be convened next month.
"There is already a rural transformation programme underway and so we are seeking to also introduce changes in urban areas," said Shahrir when contacted after the meeting.
"Johor Baru is an old urban area and there is a need for some transformation. We need to see how to open up channels of communication with the people and increase participation from the local communities," he said, admitting that the polls outcome has highlighted an urban-rural divide which must be addressed.
When it was pointed out that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak had disagreed with analyst views which showed a major swing among the multiracial urban and middle-class electorate away from BN, Shahrir said: "But surely we can have differences of opinions within BN?"
Najib has reportedly insisted that an internal study showed increased urban Malay support towards BN, attributing urban losses to the Chinese being duped by "racist" politics practised by DAP.
Shahrir also dismissed a perception that Najib's reported statements were made in preparation to defend his position as Umno president in the upcoming party polls.
"Do not over speculate. People like to read between the lines and beyond the lines," he said in jest.
The Sundaily
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