Nazri: Don’t leave it to partners to woo non-Malays

(The Star) KUALA KANGSAR: Umno must go on its own to regain the support of non-Malay voters and not depend on other Barisan Nasional component parties, says Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohd Nazri Aziz.

Mohd Nazri, who is also Padang Rengas MP, said he preferred to tackle problems faced by the non-Malay communities personally rather than depend on local representatives from Barisan component parties.

“The non-Malays still respect Umno and we must get closer to them.

“Adopt a mesra rakyat (people friendly) attitude, which is in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak’s stand and I am sure we can regain their trust and support eventually,” he said when closing a seminar for Village Development and Security Committees members at the SMK Tun Perak hall in Padang Rengas.

Mohd Nazri said despite only 11% of the Chinese voters and 9% of the Indians choosing Barisan in the Bukit Gantang by-election, Umno grassroots leaders should not feel angry at the loss of support from the non-Malay communities.

With 54% of the Malay voters choosing Barisan in Bukit Gantang, their support had increased as he said they were aware of the harm done by the ousted Pakatan Rakyat-led Perak government during its 11-month administration of the state.

Mohd Nazri also accused the Opposition of having clogged up roads leading to voting centres by bringing in their outstation supporters and prevented cars deployed by Barisan from ferrying their voters.

Earlier, he told the gathering that allegations in the Internet by bloggers were often taken to be the truth by the younger generation.

“They have made allegations against me but I do not have the time to refute them as most of my time is spent carrying out my ministerial duties,” he said.