Losing in Sungai Bakap is not the end of the Unity Government coalition, said Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: The defeat of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate in the by-election (PRK) of the Sungai Bakap State Legislative Assembly (DUN) in Penang is not the end of the coalition of parties in the Unity Government, especially UMNO to face the next by-election.

According to Bernama, UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the component parties will continue to work hard and are determined to bring victory to the Unity Government candidate in the next by-election.

“We accept it. That is the people’s decision. This is not the end, the last resort of the by-election for any candidate in the unity government component party,” he said after officiating the Melaka City Division UMNO Meeting.

Also present were the Chairman of the state UMNO Liaison Body and the Chief Minister of Melaka, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and the UMNO Head of Melaka City Division who is also the State Tourism, Heritage, Art and Culture EXCO, Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman.

The National Alliance (PN) maintained the status quo in Sungai Bakap after its candidate, Abidin Ismail won with a majority of 4,267 votes after defeating the PH candidate, Dr Joohari Ariffin.

The Sungai Bakap state assembly by-election was held following the death of its incumbent, Nor Zamri Latiff who is also PAS President Nibong Tebal, on May 24 due to inflammation in the stomach.

Meanwhile, in his speech, Ahmad Zahid who is also the Deputy Prime Minister reminded UMNO members to make changes in order to win the hearts of voters.

“We have to remember that current politics is not development politics. Current politics is the politics of issues and sentiments.

“How many people among us are (courageous) to answer and defend our leader when he is criticized? We are only good at spreading the word with our friends. In this situation, we have to wake up and be aware from now on,” he said.