BN eyes comeback in Lumut with Zambry as potential candidate

New Straits Times

14 hours ago

MANJUNG: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has hinted at naming Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir as the Lumut parliamentary seat candidate in the next general election.
The Barisan Nasional chairman is confident that the party will reclaim the Lumut parliamentary seat, as well as the Pangkor and Pasir Panjang state seats.
"We will take them back. This is not rhetoric, this is a fact. Zambry, don't be disheartened by the 363-vote loss.
"Don't forget, I won by only 348 votes. I have already forgiven the voters in Bagan Datuk. Forgive the voters in Lumut as well.
"If he becomes a minister again, it won't be as 'the honourable senator' but, God willing, as 'the honourable Datuk Seri Diraja', representing Barisan Nasional as a member of parliament," he said.
In the last general election, Zambry, who is BN secretary-general, lost the Lumut parliamentary seat to Perikatan Nasional candidate Commander (Rtd) Nordin Ahmad Ismail by just 363 votes.
Zahid said four prerequisites must be met in order to reclaim the Lumut parliamentary seat.
"It comes with conditions. The Lumut Umno division and our friends in Lumut must be united.
"We must work together to strengthen unity among ourselves. Don't be divided, don't differ in opinion.
"No more of the old culture — backstabbing, blaming top leaders for everything. We point (one) finger, but four fingers point back at us.
"I remind all of us, myself included, enough is enough," he said at the Umno Lumut division meeting in Dewan Merdeka here today.
Also present were Perak Umno chief and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, and Zambry, who is Lumut Umno division chief.
The second prerequisite, said Zahid, is to show respect and care for partners in BN and in Pakatan Harapan.
"Yes, we acknowledge that MCA and MIC are currently being tested. The Chinese and Indian communities may not be with MCA and MIC right now.
"If they are, it's only a small number. But they are going through a tough time. In the past, they helped us when we were struggling," he said.
For the third prerequisite, Zahid reminded delegates to let go of outdated mindsets and accept current political realities.
"Enough with our old ways. What is our culture? We think that just because we are part of the government, we must push and demand for this and that.
"Just as we were once dominant for 62 years, now we are only part of the government. Yes, we can make requests, we can push but we have limitations.
"Within those limitations, we must remember that the people are watching us. They are evaluating us, observing whether we can still be trusted," he said.
He added that the final prerequisite was to dominate social media and engage with voters more strategically.
"Social media is the new battleground. Umno Youth and Puteri must lead the digital narrative. Reaching voters through relevant, respectful, and convincing digital content is critical to rebuilding public trust.