In a posting on X (formerly Twitter), Mahathir said the situation in Kemaman signifies a further erosion of support for Umno, primarily due to the party’s collaboration with DAP.

“Umno can only survive by separating from DAP and returning to the struggle for race, country, and religion,” he said.

“Outdated leaders need to be replaced. And the issue of Malays needs to be fought for again, especially regarding the poverty of Malays.”

In the Saturday by-election, PAS’s Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar secured a total of 64,998 votes while the Barisan Nasional candidate, Raja Affandi Raja Noor, a retired general and former defence forces chief, garnered 27,778 votes.

The Terengganu menteri besar’s majority in the straight fight was a whopping 37,220 votes.

Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin claimed that PAS’s win in the by-election signalled public disapproval, especially among the Malays, towards BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) working together.

However, BN and PH leaders have rejected the notion, saying that the Kemaman by-election is not a referendum on the unity government.

In the X posting, Mahathir went on to say that Umno’s voter demographics no longer comprise individuals who recognise the party’s historical role in the country’s development.

“Young voters grew up after the country progressed. They believe that the country has been developed as there are many skyscrapers,” he said.

“So they might not be aware of Umno’s role in transforming the country from poverty in the past.”