The Barisan Nasional (BN) has received more than one name as the potential candidate for the upcoming Bagan Pinang state by-election in Negeri Sembilan, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said.

NONE "We received more than one name and the decision will be announced tomorrow afternoon in Bagan Pinang," he told reporters after attending the ministry's Hari Raya get-together today.

To a question whether there would be resistance to the BN's choice of candidate, he said, he did not think so.

"It has been a norm for members of the party as well as that of other BN component parties to accept the decision made by the leadership," he said.

The by-election on Oct 11 is called following the death of assemblyperson Azman Mohamad Noor of BN on Sept 4. The nomination is on Saturday.

The Teluk Kemang Umno division has stressed that it only wants its division chief Isa Samad as a candidate for the seat.

NONE However Isa, a former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar and a disgraced party vice-president who was suspended for three years for money politics, received strong objections from several party leaders, including from Muhyiddin and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Isa's supporters however point out that the veteran leader had the support from the voters.

Both BN and PAS will be announcing their candidate tomorrow.

Pushing for transformation process

On the move by Gerakan to scout for potential candidates in the next general election, Muhyiddin said it was important that focus should also be given to the transformation and renewal process that the nation expected from BN and component parties.

azlan "This does not mean that parties should not make an early planning. It's up to them but it is better to discuss this at the party's highest level whether this is suitable at the moment.

"The main agenda now is to push for the transformation process, whether in Umno, MCA, MIC or other component parties.

"This is important because if we don't do it now, the people will not be convinced of our efforts towards change," he said.

He added that the government had undergone a major transformation under Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and that the people were now talking about development and how to tackle the economic situation.

"The transformation at the parties' level is taking place a bit slowly.

"It should run parallel. It is important that each component party take the initiative to resolve problems, strengthen unity and come up with programmes to help the people," he said.

Cancer vaccination a good move

On the Health Ministry's initiative to implement cervical cancer vaccination for all 13-year-old girls, he said it was a good move.

He urged parents to take note of the programme to ensure its success.

Among those who attended the get-together were Najib and several ministers including Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai and Domestic Trade, Cooperative and Consumerism Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

- Bernama