KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Terengganu has acknowledged that the party is still unable to defeat Pas should a state election or general election (GE) be held in the near future, in the absence of a well-structured strategy.
Terengganu delegate Nurhisam Johari said the reality must be accepted, however bitter, as the political sentiment in the state differs from elsewhere and is compounded by certain constraints.
“Frankly, if a parliamentary or state assembly election were held tomorrow or in the near future, regrettably, BN-Umno in Terengganu would face defeat.
“This does not mean that we are surrendering before the fight. However, we must accept the reality that the political climate and sentiment in Terengganu are very different compared with other states.
“Without a more organised strategy and systematic groundwork, our efforts to recapture Terengganu will face an uphill battle,” he said while debating Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s policy speech at the 2025 Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre (WTC) here on Saturday.
The 2023 Terengganu state election saw Pas sweep all 32 seats in the state legislative assembly.
Elaborating further, Nurhisam said Umno Terengganu remains far from being able to dismantle the deeply entrenched political sentiment doctrine among Pas supporters in the state.
He stated that the party has also failed to fully capitalise on opportunities to attack Pas, which is currently facing numerous weaknesses and unresolved issues, largely due to constraints—particularly on social media.
“We are still unable to counter the aggressive and voluntary nature of propaganda operations and strategic responses carried out by the opposing party’s and pro-opposition social media cybertroopers.
“We have begun to challenge Pas’s narrative through the establishment of a Strategic Communications Unit.
“However, in all honesty, our level of aggression and volunteerism has yet to break through the formidable wall of political sentiment and the high level of commitment among Pas supporters,” he said.