TAPAH, April 25 -- Research outfit Ilham Centre has said that the Unity Government's attempt to use the term "UMDAP" to describe the alliance between Umno and DAP may have backfired in Ayer Kuning, as local issues take centre stage in the campaigning.

In its report released today, it also noted that Barisan Nasional (BN) has taken a low-profile media approach this round, leaving Pakatan Harapan (PH) ally Parti Amanah Negara instead to respond to Perikatan Nasional's attacks -- breaking from previous strategies.

"The Umno-DAP alliance remains a divisive topic among Malay voters, with DAP leader Nga Kor Ming's 'UMDAP Mantap' slogan failing to gain traction and instead drawing criticism, suggesting the matter may have been better handled b...