State polls: Mahdzir confident Umno members will give full support

SHAH ALAM - Kedah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid is confident that Umno members will remain with the party’s spirit and fully support the Unity Government in the next state election.

He said that the loss of support from Umno members during the 15th General Election (GE15) was due to the influence of Perikatan Nasional (PN) at that time, which had now decreased.

“Umno members in this party still remain with the party’s spirit. If we look at the number of votes, it means we still have a deposit.

“It's just that at that time (GE15) there was a perception that caused some people (voters) to shift sides, but it was only temporary," he said during a press conference after the Kedah state poll briefing and the State Assembly KPI Submission along with Umno election department chief Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican on Monday.

Mahdzir, also the State Umno Liaison Board Chairman, said the voter support lost before was expected to return to BN-PH in this state polls.

"However, only the voters know how big the amount is," he said.

Mahdzir said that based on surveys, the shift in support had already started after the end of GE15.

"It's been seven months now. Now that it (GE15) is over, they are starting to realise that the issue of forming a government is not a joke, this is serious.

"After all, the people of Kedah are smart, so we give them a chance," he said.

Meanwhile, Reezal Merican said the voting pattern in the state polls might change to streamline the administration.

"During GE15, everyone was racing to form the Federal government but now Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's position as Prime Minister is still intact. Regardless of what happens (in state polls), the Federal government remains.

"So, the people are aware of the need to harmonise the state and federal governments.

“This may be a consideration that will be taken into account by the voters in the state elections," he said.