KUALA LUMPUR, Oct  18 — Controversy is usually a burden for politicians but Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is showing that, in Umno, bad press is not necessarily always so.

While the home minister drew brickbats aplenty from politicians and civil society since news broke of his “shoot first” remarks at a security briefing in Malacca on Oct 5, the response coming from within his party has been largely applause and encouragement.

In reported portions of his speech, he argued that it was better to shoot suspected criminals in the interest of the safety and security of the police force and because most victims of crime were “mostly Malay”.

But despite the public outcry, this sort of clear – albeit contentious – positioning is exactly what the former banker, and long-time supporter of party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, needs to do to draw grassroots support.

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng agreed that Zahid’s willingness to stick to his guns, even if he is roundly criticised, made him a captivating figure in the party.

“He is what 67 per cent of the Umno members want as a leader,” Khoo said, referring to the results of a recent popularity survey of Umno leaders carried out by independent pollster Merdeka Center.

The decisive manner with which he is handling the Home Ministry has also won him admirers from within the ranks of Umno.

Under his watch, authorities have acted swiftly — and, some say, heavy-handedly — in matters near and dear to Umno’s heart: Malays and Islam.

In July, two sex bloggers were slapped with three separate charges after they posted a mock “Ramadhan” greeting featuring pork that is forbidden to Muslims.

A month later, the Home Ministry rescinded the permanent resident status of a Singaporean resort operator who allowed Buddhist tourists to use a surau in Johor, despite no criminal charges being filed against the man.

Both were roundly criticised by political opponents but cheered on by hawks in Umno.

Analysts also saw that racially-tinged public statements by second-tier Umno leaders, such as Zahid’s claim during his “shoot first” speech that over half of the 40,000 identified gangsters nationwide were Indian, as a necessary campaign tactic to win over grassroots support.

Prof Datuk Dr Zainal Kling said contentious issues such as Malay rights are typically handled by leaders other than the president and his deputy, as the top-two cannot be seen as hardliners by virtue of their twin roles as prime minister and deputy prime minister.

“They have to do it, otherwise they will be accused of deviating from the Malay cause,” Zainal told The Star in an earlier news report, referring to Umno’s second echelon.

Regardless of Umno’s inner workings, Ahmad Zahid is considered a shoo-in for one of the three vice-presidential seats, and Najib will surely be grateful to retain a loyalist on board.

Zahid is one of three incumbent vice-presidents, together with Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein — all Cabinet ministers.

They are being challenged by Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Isa Samad, former Malacca chief minister Datuk Seri Ali Rustam.

Some 146,000 delegates nationwide will vote for Umno’s top leaders aside from the president and his deputy throughout tomorrow.