BIDOR - Pas Vice-President Datuk Idris Ahmad, along with Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek, has called on voters to use the by-election as an opportunity to express their discontent and demand a return to Malay-Muslim unity.
"This by-election won't change the Perak state government or the position of Menteri Besar. However, it's a golden opportunity for Umno members to reject the 'UMDAP' agenda and call for a restoration of our core principles.
"A message delivered at the ballot box is one that ‘UMDAP’ cannot ignore," he said while speaking at a press conference today.
Umno’s electoral performance has seen a steep decline, with the party’s parliamentary seats dropping from 88 in 2013 to just 26 in 2022.
Critics have blamed this on the controversial partnership with the DAP, which they say has alienated the party’s traditional grassroots support.
Fuelling the backlash is the memory of a pledge made by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at a previous Umno General Assembly: "No Anwar, No DAP.”
Idris said the post-GE15 coalition with Pakatan Harapan (PH), which includes DAP, has left many members feeling betrayed.
"This is not just politics - it’s about principles. The Umno-DAP partnership undermines our values and weakens our position in the Malay-Muslim coalition,” Idris stressed.
The term "UMDAP,” coined by critics to describe the Umno-DAP alliance, has become a lightning rod of discontent.
Recent remarks by DAP Deputy Chairman Nga Kor Ming, who referenced the slogan "UMDAP Mantap,” have reignited concerns over Zahid’s previous dismissal of the term as mere political rhetoric.
"Umno members are beginning to wonder if Zahid has been misleading them all along. This isn’t political strategy—it’s a betrayal of decades of trust and unity,” Idris said.
He added that many voters feel deceived after casting their ballots under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner in GE15, only to see DAP emerge as a coalition partner.
As campaigning continues, the by-election is increasingly seen as a referendum on Umno’s future direction. Many grassroots members view it as a crucial moment to realign the party with its founding ideals.
The Ayer Kuning constituency has a diverse electorate comprising 56 per cent Malay, 22 per cent Chinese, 14 per cent Indian and 8 per cent Orang Asli voters.
A total of 31,897 voters are registered, including 31,315 ordinary voters and 582 police personnel and their spouses.
The Election Commission has set April 26 for polling, with early voting scheduled for April 22.