Leaders, especially Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders, should search themselves and see if they are still acceptable to the people in the coming general election, International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed said.      

He said that if they felt that the people had rejected them, they should allow the leadership to choose new candidates to replace them.      

NONE "There are those who have contested in seven or eight elections and have been accepted by the people up till then.      

"They should now look at themselves in the mirror and see if they are still capable of winning," he told reporters after opening the Kubang Kerian Agrobank branch and handing over of tithe to the Kelantan Islamic religious and malay customs council, Kota Baharu today.      

Mustapa ( right ) said Umno should now look for new talents, especially among the younger generation, to take over from older candidates who had to make way for others one day.      

Mustapa, who is Kelantan Umno liaison chief, also hoped that the party's general assembly this week had provided enough spark to fire up the spirit of party members in the state to face the coming election.      

"Kelantan Umno members are in high spirit. Although there may some minor problems, it won't affect the party's overall strength in the state," he said, adding that among weaknesses of Kelantan Umno previously was infighting, causing the people to reject it.

'Dropped candidates should accept fate'

Meanwhile Umno Supreme Council member Rais Yatim said candidates not selected to contest in the coming general election should not feel hurt but to accept the decision.    

He said the length of service of a politician depended on the evaluation carried out.    

"For those whose services are not extended, the decision should be recognised and respected, while for those whose services are extended, they should serve well and win the contested seat," he told reporters after opening Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) 2011 Sports Carnival at the Merlimau Polytechnic, Jasin, today.    

Rais was earlier asked to comment on the statement by Umno president Najib Tun Razak that Barisan Nasional (BN) would be fielding more new faces among the younger generation who could meet the criteria of winnable candidates in the coming general election.    

Najib at a news conference after the 62nd Umno General Assembly yesterday, said the move was to strengthen Umno as a dynamic party ready for change.    

According to Rais, as envisaged by the prime minister, "winnable candidates are candidates with the potential to win and should comprise those who are acceptable to the community".    

He said it was therefore important for their services to be recognised by the people for them to win in the coming general election.    

Asked about certain leaders who had voiced their desire not to contest, Rais said it was up to the individuals.    

"What is important is to accept the decision made by the party as we should not be evaluating ourselves," he said.

   

- Bernama