GEORGE TOWN: Penang Umno is expecting to field more than 40 per cent fresh candidates to contest in the upcoming 14th General Election (GE14).
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said at the same time, there would be no major reshuffling in terms of seats allocation among Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties in Penang.
"Majority (of the seats allocation) will remain status quo as each component parties will contest at their own traditional seats. If there were to be any changes then it will be done later. For now, Umno will still contest in 15 state seats and five parliamentary seats.
"In my opinion, Gerakan, MCA and MIC will also follow suit (to contest in the same seats as the previous elections). If there are changes, then it is up to the respective parties but they will have to get clearance from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak as the BN chairman," he said today.
On the candidates, Zainal said Umno has already submitted five names for each state and parliamentary seats to the prime minister to be vetted and shortlisted.
"This is a new methodology the party is trying out and I was made to understand that three names have been shortlisted (for each seats). The best of the three will be chosen.
"So far, no individuals have been confirmed to contest, nothing had been finalised on that front," he added.
He said that the new methodology will focus on voters' impression towards the candidate rather than approvals by the local Umno leaders alone.
He said that Penang Umno will maintain a balanced seat allocation to introduce new faces in the candidate line-up as well.
"However, the final decision will be made by party leaders and I am confident Najib will make the best decision to ensure BN's victory," said Zainal.
Meanwhile, Zainal suggested DAP-led Penang government to change its Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) slogan to Corruption, Accident and Tragedy instead.
"Since they take charge, numerous corruption cases were brought to light, apart from cases of landslide and flood. I believe the original CAT should be changed to Corruption, Accident and Tragedy." he said.
Translated from Berita Harian