ALOR STAR – Kedah Umno chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid has dismissed claims that the party has lost 40% of its grassroots support in the state.
He said there was no solid evidence to back the claim other than mere statements from sources and outside analysts who did not know the party’s current situation, especially in Kedah.
“I think each time an election approaches, there will be analysts making all sorts of forecasts.
“I don’t know where they plucked this 40% figure from. So far, no Kedah Umno members have deserted the party.
“That is an analyst’s statement; it’s not accurate and lacks evidence,” he said.
This was a form of propaganda by other parties in trying to build support for the coming state polls, he told reporters after closing the Kedah Unity Convention here today.
A news portal today reported that an Umno division leader in Kedah had claimed that the party faces possible destruction in the state polls, which have to be held in the second half of this year.
Asked on Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s call to party members to vote for DAP candidates in the state polls, Mahdzir said this would not be a problem for Umno members.
“That is the nature of elections. Now that we are together in the unity government, Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are part of a coalition and there is no problem for them to vote for DAP as stated by Ahmad,” he added. – Bernama, May 21, 2023
