The proposal that the prime minister as BN chief has full control over the selection of candidates for the general election has not gone down well with a number of coalition partners.

A source close to the ruling coalition told Malaysiakini that this major change was mooted in the draft amendments, which were given to BN's 13 component parties early this year.

"What's the use of being a party president? It doesn't make sense. In that case, the president should just dissolve all the component parties and make BN one party.

NONE "The existing practice is for the party presidents to suggest their candidates, although the final decision is with the BN chief.

"But now this right is being taken away and all the power is given to one person," complained the source.

This issue has become a sticking point as rumours are rife that Prime Minister Najib Razak ( left ) is mulling over whether or not to call for a snap general election next year.

The source told Malaysiakini that indications, however, suggest that Najib might opt to complete his full term as PM before calling for the polls.

Apart from the discontentment over the changes to the power-sharing agreement among BN's component parties, the source also disclosed that the ruling coalition plans to do away with decision-making by consensus to be replaced by majority vote.

This will have major repercussion in any decision to accept new coalition partners as existing members will lose their veto right.

These issues will be thrashed out at the BN convention next week, called to help the coalition reinvigorate itself following its dismal 2008 electoral performance.

It is set for Nov 28 at Wisma MCA.

The source added that the amendments must first be passed at the BN annual general meeting - to be held at a later date - before they can come into force.

"According to the BN constitution, the 13 component parties are required to send three representatives each (to the AGM). As such, there will be only about 45 to 50 delegates present to decide all these crucial matters."

‘BN must do more for smaller parties'

The source said that top party leaders will have a BN management meeting on Friday, to be chaired by deputy premier Muhyiddin Yassin.

This will be followed by a BN supreme council meeting on Saturday.

"The prime minister is looking for a fresh mandate - since he just took over from Abdullah and wasn't elected by the people.

"But it's unlikely the issue of the next general election will be discussed at this meeting. But we might, for the first time, discuss the proposed amendments," indicated the source.

He added there was feeling on the ground that more should be done for smaller, less-established parties within the BN coalition.

"They give us a Kancil but expect us to perform like a BMW," he lamented.

Despite observations by political pundits that BN is steadily regaining some of the support base it lost in 2008, the source said a larger role must be given to smaller component parties for BN to really win back more voters.