Zafrul: If this isn't a final warning for Umno, I don't know what is

Selangor Umno treasurer Tengku Zafrul Aziz has conceded the party was rejected by Malay voters in last Saturday's polls, urging the leadership to regain the confidence of the people instead of chasing after "short-term power".

"If the results of this state election aren't a final warning of its survival as a party for the Malays, I don't know what warning should be given to make us realise that we have been rejected," said Zafrul.

The former finance minister, who was dropped from becoming a candidate in the state despite earlier speculation of him leading Barisan Nasional's charge, said the two seats bagged by Umno were a painful reality to show that the party is "very weak" in Selangor.

He said of the two seats it won, one of them, Dusun Tua, was originally won by its partner DAP, while the other, Sungai Air Tawar, was more due to the candidate's service record.

"The Selangor state election seems to show that the more Malay voters there are in an area, the more difficult it is for Umno to win," said Zafrul.

At the six state polls on Aug 12, Umno was wiped out in Kedah and Terengganu, while winning only two seats in Penang and Selangor and one seat in Kelantan. The party only shined in Negeri Sembilan, winning 14 seats.

Overall, Umno won just 19 of the 108 seats it contested, despite being given way by Pakatan Harapan (PH) to contest in mixed and semi-urban seats.

It was the party's worst performance in all six states, despite partnering with PH to reflect its alliance at the federal level.

The losses have triggered voices from within Umno calling for a "change" in the party, although many stopped short of urging Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to step down as president.

Zahid has been instrumental in bringing Umno MPs to support PH chairman Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister last year, followed by a wave of expulsion of his critics from the party, including former Selangor Umno chairman Noh Omar, who was sacked alongside former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Zafrul said Umno members have been devastated by the latest defeat.

"Umno isn't the property of any faction. Umno was established to unite the Malays, and for that reason, Umno can't be too radical. Umno needs to celebrate different views, and they need to be managed so that it continues to thrive and becomes a party where the Malays can find shelter.

"On that basis, I hope the party leadership will rise up and correct the situation of the party, not only pursuing short-term power but a serious effort to regain the trust of the people and also grassroots members," he added.