UMNO deputy president Mohamad Hasan said the party respects the Kemaman by-election result, which favoured PAS.

He said the outcome jolted Umno into realising it must be resilient to continue its struggle in the Malay political arena, which has grown more dynamic.

“The task of regaining the trust of the Malays is difficult but not impossible. But for the time being, Umno must accept the reality that the Malays are far from believing the party is an effective political representative.

“The real test is that of resilience. Umno will not easily surrender nor accept that the path to garner Malay support is closed,” he said in a Facebook post today.

The Kemaman by-election on Saturday saw PAS retaining the seat after its candidate Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar defeated Barisan Nasional’s Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor.

Mohamad said Umno fielded a national warrior with an impeccable record to represent the unity government, but failed.

“Therefore, (Umno’s) spirit, work ethic, strategy and leadership all need a new touch… if it wishes to compete to win back the influence and trust of Malays,” he said.

He said Malay youth are avoiding Umno, and it has not successfully won them over.

“Something must be done. The younger generation has the potential to be won over… The approach must be in line with their aspirations and needs,” he said.

Umno, he said, would not deviate from its path of moderation as it is an important bastion for multiethnic, multireligious Malaysia. – Bernama, December 4, 2023.