Umno will be ‘underdog’ if it were to contest in Nenggiri, says Zahid

Asked if BN would give way to Azizi to represent the unity government should a by-election be held, Zahid said they were “prepared to negotiate”.

(FMT) – Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would be the “underdog” if it were to contest the Nenggiri state seat should a by-election be called after it was declared vacant by the Kelantan assembly speaker.

Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, said the party would be considered as such as its candidate, Ab Aziz Yusoff, had lost by 810 votes to Azizi Abu Naim in the state election last August.

Azizi had secured 6,517 votes in a straight fight with Aziz, who managed 5,707 votes.

“If there is a by-election, it is certain we would be the underdog. Still, we should prepare to vie for the constituency,” Zahid told reporters after an event here today.

On Wednesday, Kelantan speaker Amar Abdullah declared the seat vacant after receiving a notice from Bersatu that Azizi had ceased to be a member of the party.

Azizi, who is also the Gua Musang MP, is among six Bersatu MPs who pledged support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and the unity government. The others are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Azizi has since said he would challenge the Kelantan speaker’s decision in court.

Asked if BN would give way to Azizi to represent the unity government should a by-election be held, Zahid said they were “prepared to negotiate”.

“Our current stand is that priority is given to the incumbent’s party to stand in an election,” he said.