Perak Umno won't take Slim voters for granted, says chief

SLIM POLLS | On paper, Umno is expected to easily retain its seat in the upcoming Slim by-election, but Perak Umno chief Saarani Mohamad is taking nothing for granted.

The state's Umno liaison committee chairperson said that if Slim voters living outside the constituency don't return home to vote for Umno, that would hurt the party's chances.

"Remember, victory is translated from the number of votes in the ballot box. If Umno voters don't return to vote, it's meaningless," he told Malaysiakini.

Saarani (above) added that if Umno just relies on the fact that Slim is seen as its stronghold and doesn't put in the required work to reach voters, it will backfire on them.

"Don't take for granted that we will have an easy win. Whatever it is, we have to work hard.

"Barisan Nasional has to work hard to make sure its supporters (who are Slim voters) return to Slim and vote," he asserted.

The Slim state seat became vacant after four-term incumbent Mohd Khusairi Abdul Talib passed away on July 15 from cardiac arrest.

The by-election will be held on Aug 29, with nominations on Aug 15.

On July 31, Pakatan Harapan had said that it would give way to Dr Mahathir Mohamad's faction known then as Bersatu Blackout to contest in the by-election.

Bersatu blackout was a faction that supported Mahathir after its members did not agree with Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin pulling the party out of Pakatan Harapan in February.

Yesterday, Mahathir had announced a new independent Malay party, which has yet to be named. He said it is not tied to Harapan nor Perikatan Nasional.

Both sides have yet to announce their candidates for the by-election.

'Not perturbed by rivals'

Malaysiakini has reported that acting Tanjung Malim Umno division chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz was Umno's favoured candidate.

However, Saarani, who is the Kota Tampan assemblyperson, noted that there's no guarantee that Mohd Zaidi (photo) would be selected.

"There's no guarantee as we have submitted seven names to the management committee to pick," he said.

On the criteria for the candidate, Saarani said there are no specific criteria as long as the person is likeable to the voters.

"We don't have one specific criterion. What is important is that the person is likeable and capable to serve the people."

He added that Umno did not mind who their rivals fielded against them and would not be perturbed by Mahathir's new party, as Umno would focus its energy to bring their candidate to victory.

"We focus on our work to make sure our candidate wins. Whoever contests, we fight," he said.

Muhyiddin's Bersatu fully supports Umno

Asked about the level of Bersatu's support for Umno in the by-election, Saarani said the former's decision to not field a candidate in the by-election is enough.

"It (Bersatu) doesn't field its candidate, that means it supports Umno."

However, Saarani said he has learned that during the by-election campaign period, Bersatu will be busy with its internal divisional meetings.

According to Bernama, the Bersatu Youth divisional meetings are scheduled for Aug 15, Bersatu Women on Aug 16, and party divisional meetings are to be held simultaneously on Aug 22.

Both Bersatu and Umno are in the Perikatan National coalition, which also comprises PAS, other BN parties, and Sarawak's GPS coalition. - Mkini