Selangor Umno doesn't rule out replicating 'outsider' strategy from Cameron

SEMENYIH POLLS

 | Selangor Umno Youth chief Rizam Ismail said BN is not ruling out the strategy of fielding an "outsider" in the Semenyih by-election like it did in the Cameron Highlands by-election.

"It is not impossible for an outsider candidate to be fielded," he told Malaysiakini.

However, Rizam said the state Umno will leave it to the wisdom of the central leadership.

BN pulled a surprise in the Cameron Highlands by-election when it fielded a non-party member in the form of former senior cop Ramli Mohd Nor, who is from the Orang Asli community which makes up a substantial part of the electorate there.

The strategy paid off with BN pulling off a convincing victory on Jan 26, its first by-election win over Harapan since the 2018 general election.

In the past, outsider candidates often court unhappiness from within the party ranks as many local party leaders also aspire to become candidates.

However, now out of power, BN has become more receptive to unconventional strategies.

Rizam said Selangor Umno Youth will back whatever choice made by the Umno central leadership.

"Whoever the candidate is, we will support. What is important is for the candidate to be well-received by the people.

"We leave it up to the leadership of Tok Mat (acting Umno president Mohamad Hasan) to decide," he said.

Rizam said Selangor Umno Youth had already submitted its proposals to the Umno central leadership. - Mkini