Candidates selected to ensure victory for BN in GE14 war - Najib
KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates were selected with the primary objective of ensuring victory for BN in the 14th General Election (GE14) war.
Najib, who is also the BN chairman, said it was also to maintain the party's momentum for the long term in the interest of the people.
"I understand that there will be non-selected BN members who will challenge the decision and felt dissatisfied.
"I hope they are able to accept the decision with an open heart and support those who were selected and also to place BN's interests above everything else," Najib said in his latest blog entry tonight.
Najib said he and his deputy, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as well as the entire BN leadership, including presidents of BN component parties and state BN chairmen, had done their best and given due considerations in the selection of the candidates.
"We have taken into account the information we received, the evaluation we made, BN's spirit of consensus and above all, what the voters and the people want," Najib said.
He said the candidates were selected based on several criteria, including their track records and potential.
"It means that the candidates must be liked by the people, probably based on their experiences, their characters, their services, and so on," he said.
The prime minister said BN candidates had also been carefully evaluated over the past five years, in terms of their performances, their relationships with the local community, and the support they had gained from the people.
Najib said the wide range of candidates selected by the party was also to ensure that BN would not only won the small battles, but also the war.
"We need to clarify that it won't mean a thing if we win the small battles, but lose the war.
"What's important is we want to offer the voters the candidates who are able to give the best service in their constituency.
"To the chosen candidates, prove that you are indeed qualified to be fielded as BN candidates and heroes!" the BN chairman said.
Najib also said he believed that the election would see what he termed as the 'Tsunami PHitnah' and the incitement of the opposition and their supporters who had no clear agenda for the people, apart from wanting to topple him and the BN government.
In the meantime, Najib called on all BN members to close ranks ahead of the nomination day on Saturday.
When campaigning begins I wish to remind voters that this GE14 is a process where we choose a government for the federal and state levels. The government that we vote for is the government that will manage our lives for the next five years.
In making your choice, think carefully and don't be swayed by emotional factors, personal appeals from those who have drifted away from their original struggle, be it slander or lies, he said.
Najib said that as a party that has been leading the country thus far, BN had carried out a well-organised and comprehensive master agenda and policies that had led to a transformation plan which had been implemented effectively.
"In short, we have delivered for the last five years and we will continue to deliver.
"What we are asking for this time is a new mandate from the people to continue leading for the next five years. With the trust, confidence and support of the people, Insya-Allah BN will succeed and with the victory BN will continue to bring glory to our beloved Malaysia," he added.
-- BERNAMA
