90 PER CENT THERE!

Names will be announced this week or next at PWTC

BARISAN Nasional has finalised 90 per cent of its candidates for the polls. They are expected to receive letters of credentials from Datuk Seri Najib Razak either this week or next.

BARISAN Nasional has settled 90 per cent of the candidate list for the 14th General Election. It is understood that those who were chosen as candidates had been informed. Their names will be announced either this week or next week at an event at the Putra World Trade Centre.

A source said BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak was expected to hand letters of credentials to all 222 parliamentary constituency candidates, while the letters for the 505 candidates for state seats, not including Sarawak, would be handed over by state BN chairmen.

Each seat had been discussed with presidents of BN component parties, the source said.

Recently, Najib said the candidate list would be announced much earlier than previous general elections, when the lists were made known only two or three days before nomination day.

Earlier, Najib met BN leaders at Seri Perdana here.

It is understood that the meeting was to finalise the list of candidates.

Among the first to be seen arriving were Perlis Umno chairman Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim and former Santubong member of parliament Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

Others were Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim (Batang Lupar), Datuk M. Saravanan (Tapah), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling), Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad (Johor Baru), Datuk Seri Hasan Arifin (Rompin) and Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamad (Pulai).

Also there were Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid (PadangTerap), Datuk Seri Azizah Mohd Dun (Beaufort), Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Datuk Seri Anifah Aman (Kimanis) and Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan).

In Bera, BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Najib reminded members of parliament and assemblymen not chosen to contest that they should help those selected.

He said Najib gave the reminder at the meeting at Seri Perdana.

He said Najib expressed his appreciation to members of parliament for services rendered in their constituencies and in Parliament.

“The prime minister urged those picked to redouble their efforts during the campaign and work harder when they are elected.

“It is hoped that those not selected will continue to provide support and assistance to the candidates picked,” he said after opening the Bera police headquarters.

Present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim and Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Rosli Ab Rahman.

On the meeting at Seri Perdana, Rohani said Najib touched on the importance of upholding the strong ties among BN parties.

Shahidan said several matters were discussed in the meeting, including the spirit of togetherness, loyalty and friendship.

Saravanan said the meeting stressed the need to close ranks.

“The speech was short, but it boosted our spirits. Whether we are chosen as candidates, the most important thing is we must work together.”

Shahrir said he had yet to receive “good news” from Najib.

He said it was too early to talk about the candidate list, adding that the prime minister had simply wanted to express his gratitude to those who served in the 13th Parliament session.

Wan Junaidi said Najib had indicated in the meeting that some would not be chosen as candidates.

Page 1 pic: Barisan Nasional leaders leaving Seri Perdana after meeting BN chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Putrajaya yesterday.