‘BN NEEDS TO FIELD YOUNG CANDIDATES’

Umno Youth expects 30pc seat allocation in GE14, says Khairy

MOHAMED BASYIR PERMATANG PAUH news@nst.com.my

UMNO Youth expects to be given a 30 per cent seat allocation for its members in the 14th General Election (GE14). Its chief, Khairy Jamaluddin, said with the surge in the number of young voters, it was crucial to have younger candidates contesting in the election.

“We do not want Barisan Nasional to be seen as a party for the older generations, or simply put, a ‘Jurassic’ party.

“We want to rejuvenate BN’s image with more young leaders contesting in the next election.

“I hope to see candidates from all age groups in the general election, and with Wanita Umno asking for 30 per cent, we are also looking at the same,” he said at the Permatang Pauh Fellowship Ride at the Permatang Pauh Commercial Centre here yesterday.

Khairy added that younger candidates must be qualified to take the challenge.

“They must know themselves whether they are qualified for it.

“I believe there are many of them in the party.”

Penang Gerakan lauded Umno Youth’s call to field younger candidates.

Its vice-chairman, Oh Tong Keong, said his party had been encouraging younger and fresh candidates to contest since the last general election in 2013.

“When we talk about the future of the country, we are not only looking at five or 10 years ahead. We are looking beyond that and these younger candidates can do the job.

“However, that does not mean that the older candidates are no longer good as their experience is very crucial as well,” he said. the flagging off by Chembong assemblyman Datuk Zaifulbahri Idris at 9am.

The state-level flag run will continue today from Sikamat before

Oh said a balanced seat allocation with candidates from all age groups was a welcome boost for BN.

He said the younger candidates should be from professional fields, with good relationship with the locals, adding that the most important criteria were an avid interest in politics, and a passion for serving the people and country. proceeding to Labu in Nilai and will end in Beranang, Selangor, which will later see the Sang Saka Bangsa flag handed over to Umno members in Selangor.

The state-level Umno Flag Run in Negri Sembilan covers 111km involving some 7,400 participants.

PIC BY RAMDZAN MASIAM Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin flagging off the Permatang Pauh Fellowship Ride at the Permatang Pauh Commercial Centre yesterday.

PIC BY SYARAFIQ ABD SAMAD Negri Sembilan Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (fourth from left) joining the state-level Umno Flag Run 2017 in Paroi yesterday.