KUALA LUMPUR: The introduction of new and young faces for the 15th General Election is part of the rejuvenation of Umno and Barisan Nasional and to ensure the involvement of young people.
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said young people should be given the appropriate place and position to ensure the voices and votes of those under 40 are not marginalised.
"We need to accept that the under 39 votes represent around 50 per cent of the voters in the country that will vote in GE15.
"We need to ensure that the BN youth and Puteri members are on the right track on the frontline. That is why, for example, the Umno Puteri chief, the state Puteri Umno chief and Umno Youth are taking their places and positions.
"We need to change. In politics, no one person is indispensable, but all people are important," said Zahid in a posting on his Facebook page.
He said those who have been in politics for a long time have to make way and be an example while the young ones take their places to renew the leadership continuity for the future.
"When you are not listed, it does not mean that you are not important but we can't be in the same position forever, so we have to make way for the new candidates," said Zahid.
He said it was not easy to choose the best among the best and a lot of considerations have to be taken before finalising the list.
"It is not easy to make these critical decisions but a firm, bold and wise decision has to be made in an effort to revitalise and be the catalyst for the awakening of Umno and BN.
"If Umno and BN do not make the change now, we could be left behind when the other parties are making changes especially in terms of the candidates for the general election," said Zahid.
He said the voice of the youth is very important and we need to listen and provide opportunities for new candidates to contest.
"For those who have been elected representatives for a long time need to give the chance for the voice of the youth to take their places. Without this kind of support, they would not be able to be elected representatives for multiple terms.
"Now, when they are not selected, it is the time for them to show the right attitude and accept it with an open heart just as when they were given the same opportunities many years ago," said Zahid.
He urged those who were not chosen to not show any dissatisfaction, anger, protest or sabotage by closing operation rooms and giving statements that would undermine the reputation of their own party.
"They have to realise this would only show their true colour towards the party and the people would evaluate such an attitude.
"At the moment, loyalty to and uniting the party is more important than moaning about not being chosen. Therefore, don't even think of betraying the party directly or indirectly," said Zahid.