PETALING JAYA: The party’s direction as well as strategies for the six states facing elections are among the issues discussed by Umno during a special retreat at Janda Baik over the weekend.
Sources said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, vice-presidents and other senior party leaders huddled together as part of its preparations to face next month’s polls.
The retreat was also attended by party supreme council members and central exco members.
“We discussed a host of issues and laid down several strategies, including preparations for the state polls,” said a source who wanted to remain anonymous.
On Saturday night, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Pakatan Harapan chairman, attended the retreat.
Barisan Nasional is expected to contest 45% of the 245 seats up for grabs, with Pakatan fielding their candidates for the remainder.
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid, who is the Barisan chairman, said the decision was made based on the seats won by both coalitions in the last general election.
“This is based on the existing seats. That’s why Pakatan gets more.
“We will announce the statistics when everything is finalised,” he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also said Barisan would contest more than 100 seats and that the final decision would be made by him and the Prime Minister.
The evaluation and selection of the candidates would be based on qualities such as commitment, integrity, capability and winnability, Ahmad Zahid said.
“It’ll be based on the chances of winning, acceptability and voters’ support.
“After being shortlisted, health screening will be carried out to ensure each candidate is clean in terms of appearance and has a good level of health,” he said, adding that age would be emphasised as a criteria for the selection of candidates to prove that the unity government listens to the pulse of young voters.
