Is fielding new faces in state polls Umno’s last option?
SHAH ALAM - Fielding new faces as candidates in the next state elections is the last option for Barisan Nasional (BN)-Umno to win the votes of the voters, especially the young voters.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Political Analyst Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid explained that the method has been successful, with Umno winning a series of by-elections in 2019.
She added that by fielding a new face, it shows that the party is ready to change and gives opportunities to a new line of leaders.
"The new face candidate can be seen as a symbol of Umno being ready to change and give opportunities to back-up leaders. That method used to be effective for Umno.
"BN-Umno has to try everything it can because it is aware that people in the party do not necessarily want to vote, and it is also difficult to get Malay votes.
"They have no choice but to try the strategy of placing new candidates, young candidates, as a symbol of change and opportunity," she told Sinar.
On Friday, the media reported that BN will present new candidates to contest the state elections in six states later.
Its chairman, Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi, said the new candidate was a sign of BN's new spirit, which was the first to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the election.
Kartini further said, however, that it would still be difficult to win because Umno is seen as not wanting to change as a whole, among which was still maintaining the position of president.
He explained that Umno needs to make internal changes in the party first to regain the trust of the Malays.
She stressed that, in order to win a seat in the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Umno needs to manage the integrity crisis in the leadership.
"It's not like a snake sheds its skin; only the outside changes. By putting out a new candidate, however, the inside is still systemic.
"Voters are now smart. All gifts given are taken; votes are not necessarily given. They know about diamonds or glass," she explained.
