00:00UMNO kicks off its four-day General Assembly today, riding high on its recent success in
00:07reclaiming the Negeri state seat from Perikatan Nasional.
00:12As Maui Fikri Abdul Ghani's victory in the Kelantan State Assembly, with a majority of
00:163,352 votes, has significantly brightened the party's prospects.
00:24An UMNO leader, who declined to be named, said this win is expected to energize the
00:28leadership and delegates, and that discussions are likely to focus on enhancing UMNO's role
00:33in the unity government, while upholding its core values of religion, race and country.
00:39Meanwhile, political analyst Asro Hadi Abdullasadi said UMNO President Ahmad Zayed Hamidi will
00:46seek to leverage the Negeri victory to consolidate support and invigorate the party base.
00:52He added that the party will also look to harness momentum from the General Assembly
00:57to drive UMNO to victory in the upcoming Makota by-election in Johor on September 28.
01:04Awang Asman Paui of University of Malaya also expects the General Assembly to use the Negeri
01:09victory to highlight Zahid's success in restoring voter confidence and improving the party's
01:14reputation within the unity government.
01:17He said the Negeri victory has effectively silenced critics, and that it stands as proof
01:22that with the right strategy, UMNO can resonate with younger voters.
