Rusdi Omar of Universiti Utara Malaysia said Umno did not want its chances of wresting the seat from Perikatan Nasional (PN) jeopardised by tactless leaders.

“Umno does not want leaders who speak harshly when onstage to campaign in Nenggiri, given Kelantan’s political environment,” he told FMT.

Kelantan Umno information chief Zawawi Othman said on Tuesday that government leaders wishing to campaign for BN in the by-election on Aug 17 must get permission from Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.

Gua Musang Umno chief Tengku Razaleigh has been appointed as election director for the by-election, while Jazlan is the operations director.

Salawati Mat Basir of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said Kelantan Umno likely wanted to avoid leaders misspeaking and sparking anger over national issues.

“BN may want Malay leaders on the ground, not DAP leaders, given that Nenggiri has many Umno supporters and members,” she said.

Zaireeni Azmi of Universiti Sains Malaysia however said that such screening could cause the people to believe there is mistrust between parties in the unity government.

“From another perspective, (Kelantan Umno) may just have a better grasp of what the locals want, given that they have been in Nenggiri for a long time.

“They want to ensure that they get the Malay votes. Umno is the only partner in the unity government seen as capable of doing so,” she said.

The Nenggiri by-election was called after Kelantan Speaker Amar Abdullah declared the seat vacant on June 19, having been informed that incumbent Azizi Abu Naim was no longer a Bersatu member.

Bersatu terminated the Gua Musang MP’s membership after he failed to declare his loyalty to the party, and for showing support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In the state election last year, Azizi beat Umno’s Ab Aziz Yusoff in a straight fight with a majority of 810 votes.