Three Umno leaders propel Barisan to victory in Nenggiri
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah among those seen as playing crucial role in Perikatan’s defeat.
(The Vibes) – BARISAN Nasional’s (BN) big win in the Nenggiri by-election in Kelantan yesterday was attributed to leaders in three age groups who had combined their resources to dethrone Perikatan Nasional (PN), said observers.
The three were Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who represented the veterans; Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who represented current leaders in the national unity government; and Umno Youth chief Muhamad Akmal Salleh.
These three age elements played a role in influencing a voter turnout of over 72%, which is among the highest since last year’s elections in four states.
Umno stalwart Tengku Razaleigh, who is popularly known as Ku Li, is the long-serving Gua Musang Umno division head who was well-versed with the local dynamics.
Nenggiri is a state seat under the Gua Musang parliamentary constituency – Ku Li held that seat for more than five decades before losing it in the last general election.
Deputy Prime Minister Zahid knew how to mobilise the Umno campaign resources whereas Akmal motivated the young, who were numerous but working outside of the constituency, to return and exercise their democratic rights.
This is the second consecutive by-election where the opposition bloc in a state won with a huge margin.
