Zahid, who is a deputy prime minister, said the strategy involves the careful distribution of campaign responsibilities between the component parties in the unity government.
With 35% of the over 65,000 eligible voters in Mahkota being Chinese, he said, Umno will “engage with all parties in the unity government to mobilise their resources effectively”.
“We will allocate certain segments to DAP and others to MCA,” he told reporters after visiting TVET booths at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.
“Similarly, there are over 8,000 Indian voters, and we have asked MIC to mobilise its machinery, alongside the Indian leaders within PKR.”
Zahid was asked to comment on Johor DAP saying they will help to campaign for Barisan Nasional’s candidate in the Sept 28 by-election for the state seat.
Earlier today, Johor DAP deputy chairman Teo Nie Ching said they would lend a hand as Mahkota falls under the Kluang parliamentary seat, which is held by DAP’s Wong Shu Qi.
The Mahkota by-election was called after its Umno assemblyman, Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, died on Aug 2.
In the Johor state election in March 2022, Sharifah won the seat with a 5,166-vote majority over her closest rival from Pakatan Harapan (Amanah) in a four-cornered contest, with candidates from Perikatan Nasional and Warisan completing the line-up.
PH said it would back the BN candidate based on the principle of incumbency.
Umno Youth and Wanita are lobbying for one of its members to defend the Mahkota seat.
Tajuddin’s membership suspension may be reviewed
On another note, Zahid said he will raise the issue of former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s suspension being revoked, with Umno’s top decision-making bodies.
“I will bring it up at the management committee meeting and also with the Supreme Council before any decision is made,” he said.
Yesterday, despite being suspended, Tajuddin turned up at the Umno general assemblym saying he “misses the party”.
He was suspended in June 2022 for six years over his criticisms of Umno, expressed in statements, speeches, and closed-door meetings.
He has since submitted several appeal letters requesting the lifting of his suspension, but has yet to receive a response from the party leadership.