World · Malaysia Bureau
Khairy urges Umno, BN voters to support PAS in Bukit Katil
Less than seven months after rejoining Umno, the politician has called on coalition supporters to back the Islamist party's candidate in the Melaka state seat.
LSN Malaysia ·
MELAKA — A senior Umno politician has made a direct appeal to voters from his party and the Barisan Nasional coalition to throw their support behind PAS in the Bukit Katil by-election, characterising the move as essential to the opposition's strategy in the state.
Khairy Jamaluddin's statement underscores the ongoing electoral cooperation between Umno and PAS, the two largest Muslim-majority parties in Malaysia's political landscape. The call comes just months after Khairy's formal return to Umno, marking a significant moment in the party's internal dynamics.
The Bukit Katil by-election has emerged as a key contest for both major coalitions. By publicly urging coalition voters to consolidate their support around a single candidate, Khairy has sought to prevent vote splitting that could undermine the bloc's chances in the seat.
The appeal reflects broader attempts by Umno and its allies to maintain unity within the Barisan Nasional framework while managing the complexities of multi-party electoral competition in Melaka.