BN candidates to be best reps for the people - Ahmad Zahid
KUALA BERANG, April 12 (Bernama) -- The Barisan Nasional candidates for the general election on May 9 will be the best representatives for the people based on the information from intelligence and independent agencies and not on the potential candidates' wishes, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said many potential candidates would feel that they were the most eligible to contest the election but the leadership would determine the candidates after various types of screening by several sources of information.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also an UMNO vice-president discharging the duties of the deputy president, said he did not want any back-stabbing but all-round undivided support after the list of candidates was announced.
"I want the people of Terengganu to learn from past experience when we had to endure factions at the parliamentary, state and branch levels - we lost the state for one term (after the 11th general election).
"We must not look back (once the candidates are announced). We support whoever the BN candidates are under any circumstances. Indeed, many people are eligible to be candidates, but we adhere to the intelligence report. It is not who wants to contest but whom the people want as their state and parliamentary representatives," he said.
Ahmad Zahid spoke at the launch of the Terengganu BN manifesto and Hulu Terengganu BN parliamentary machinery at the Kuala Berang Square here today.
Also present were Terengganu Menteri Besar and State UMNO Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman and Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister and Hulu Terengganu MP Datuk Seri Jailani Johari.
Ahmad Zahid advised the party machinery to encourage the voters to give their undivided support to the BN candidates to ensure a major victory in Terengganu.
"The number of seats the BN won (in Terengganu) in the last general election is too marginal and we want the number of seats this time to be more than that.
"Have confidence in the choice of candidates made by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak). I am sure that the spirit of belonging will result in a major victory for us in the coming general election," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said the announcement of the candidates would be final and the party machinery should work hard to ensure the victory of these candidates, keeping in mind the pledges made in upholding the party's struggle.
He reminded the party machinery to explain the party manifesto to the people so that they understood that only the BN could help spur the country forward.
At the event, Ahmad Zahid also announced the construction of a new police headquarters for Kuala Berang at a cost of RM150 million, a mosque in Kampung Pasir Dula here at a cost of RM250,000 and a community centre in Kampung Teris at a cost of RM4 million.
In his speech, Ahmad Zahid indicated that Ahmad Razif would remain as the menteri besar if the BN retained the state in the election and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin gave his consent, saying Ahmad Razif had performed with excellence in administrating the state.
-- BERNAMA
