BN LEADERSHIP’S DECISION’

Najib to have last word on selection of GE14 candidates, says Zahid

HASHINI KAVISHTRI KANNAN AND FAIRUZ MOHD SHAHAR PUTRAJAYA news@nst.com.my

DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi yesterday reminded Barisan Nasional component party leaders to respect the top leadership’s decision in the fielding of candidates for the 14th General Election.

If a seat had been allocated to a certain party, he said, it would not be right for other component parties to compete for the same seat, despite having good intentions.

Zahid said this in response to the ongoing tussle for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat between MIC and the People’s Progressive Party (MyPPP).

MyPPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas had recently expressed his intention to contest the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat.

However, MIC insisted that its candidate would contest the seat.

Zahid, who is also the home minister, said in the end, it was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who would decide which candidate was best suited to run for any seat.

“Therefore, component party leaders must respect the leadership.

“Every party will be given a chance to contest based on certain criteria.

“It is also important to respect other parties and their leaders so that no one is offended,” he said at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.

The Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency is currently held by Datuk Seri G. Palanivel.

He won the seat in the 13th General Election with a narrow majority of 462 votes.

Palanivel is no longer a member of MIC.