KUALA LUMPUR, August 19 — In a significant political shift, Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani clinched a decisive victory in the Nenggiri by-election, reclaiming the seat from PAS in the heart of Kelantan. This win not only boosts BN’s morale but also challenges the dominance of Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the state.
With a commanding majority of 3,352 votes, Mohd Azmawi garnered 9,091 votes against his rival, PAS’s Mohd Rizwadi Ismail, who received 5,739 votes. This outcome marks a stark contrast to last year’s state election, where the margin was a mere 810 votes in favor of PN. The result underscores a potential shift in voter sentiment, particularly among the youth and outstation voters, who were previously seen as leaning towards PAS.
Umno leaders, including Secretary-General Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, credited the win to the effective collaboration within the unity government, particularly the support from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Kelantan Umno Chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub echoed these sentiments, highlighting the return of Malay support to BN as a critical factor in the victory, viewing it as a stepping stone for Umno and BN’s resurgence in Kelantan.
The win in Nenggiri is a pivotal moment for BN, demonstrating its ability to regain ground in a state long dominated by PAS, and setting the stage for future political contests in Kelantan.
