KUALA LUMPUR: The selection of Barisan Nasional candidates in the 14th general election (GE14) had been planned over the past five years based on four criteria, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The BN chairman said the criteria used were service performance records of potential candidates, the need to have new faces representing the party, the ratio of racial representation and certain political consideration.
He said this was in line with the demographics in Malaysia which comprised people of various communities and the agenda to empower women and youth.
“We made the assessments based on information that we received, the spirit of consensus within BN and the needs of the voters and the people. I understand that some BN members who were not chosen may question the decision and would be dissatisfied.
“However, I hope they can accept the decision with open hearts and support the one who was chosen, putting a win for BN above all other things,” he said in a special interview at Putra World Trade Centre.
Najib said the selection process, which had put forward a variety of candidates, was important to ensure BN won the war and not just small battles, come GE14. --Additional reporting by Luqman Arif Abdul Karim