The move to pick winnable candidates in the general election is not aimed at creating disharmony but to ensure the survival of the party, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

Muhyiddin, who is also Umno deputy president, said not all elected representatives would be discarded; there would be a combination of new and old faces; experienced and energetic; and candidates who could be accepted by the voters.

"This is not something new. We have carried out changes at every general election, only the degree or number differs.

"We retain the experienced and suitable, we only replace those who need to be replaced," he told reporters.

NONE Muhyiddin, who admitted that there would be those who would be dissatisfied each time there was a change, nevertheless, was confident the party would be able to tackle the matter in the best possible manner.

"We will call for a discussion if there is dissatisfaction. Sometimes, the sulking period is short.

"It is normal if they don't want to work for one or two days. This is in Umno. It is also evident in the opposition parties, In fact, it is common in political parties," he said.  

Muhyiddin said all must accept that a long-serving division head or people's representative would not necessarily be picked as a candidate, if the public and grassroots want a new face.

"Maybe, now is another person's turn to be the candidate, our time is past.

"So, like how other people supported us in the past, now is our turn to support to others," he said.   

- Bernama