Sunday March 10, 2013

The sooner the better

By STEPHEN THEN
stephenthen@thestar.com.my

MIRI: Calls have increased from within Barisan Nasional component parties for the ruling coalition’s top leaders to announce names of candidates.

There was a need to end the uncertainty as the race for the 13th general election had reached a very time-sensitive period, said Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

The Santubong MP yesterday said this would allow election machinery on the ground to direct its focus on challenging the Opposition and not worry about any last-minute changes to the list.

He told The Star yesterday that the names of Barisan candidates must be made public soonest so that they can also assess the rakyat’s response.

“This would give Barisan parties ample time to overcome any shortcomings with regard to the candidates before nomination day.

“There are others who said they were worried that if Barisan candidates were announced, those who are not chosen might resort to sabotage.

“I think it is better to announce early so that the candidates can heal the rift with those who have been left out, make peace with them and get their help to campaign for Barisan,” he said.

“If Barisan candidates are made known now, they can move with greater ease and the machinery on the ground can proceed without any more doubts.”

Wan Junaidi, who is PBB supreme council member, added: “It is better to know friends from enemies as soon as possible so that counter measures can be taken to prevent sabotage.”

He said that as far as he was concerned, he was in the advanced stage of ground preparations for the polls.

News

Sunday March 10, 2013

The sooner the better

By STEPHEN THEN stephenthen@thestar.com.my

By STEPHEN THEN
stephenthen@thestar.com.my