[UPDATED] BN’s loss in Kemaman not a referendum against unity govt: Zahid

PUTRAJAYA – Barisan Nasional’s (BN) loss in the Kemaman by-election is not a referendum against the unity government, says its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

At a press conference, here, today, Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister, denied that support for PAS increased in the by-election. 

“We cannot assume it is a referendum (against the unity government), because it is only a small circle in Kemaman.  

“It is not possible to assume the votes from 141,000 people in Kemaman were accepted as a referendum. So, we hope they (PAS) are not daydreaming,” he said today.  

Zahid pointed out that one of the biggest contributors to BN’s huge loss in Kemaman is the 31.7% of staunch BN supporters who failed to turn out to vote on Saturday.  

“There is no increased support for PAS but around 10,000 BN voters, particularly Umno voters, didn’t turn out to vote.

“That is why only 68.3% of BN voters who cast their ballots contributed to the (PAS) majority win because our hardcore voters didn’t turn out to vote,” he said when asked by the media. 

Zahid also denied the speculation that he will resign his position as Umno president and deputy prime minister due to his health condition. 

On Saturday, PAS retained Kemaman after Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar won by a 37,220-vote majority.

He secured 64,998 votes, defeating BN’s Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor, who obtained only 27,778 votes. – December 4, 2023