Barisan Nasional chairperson and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is to consult coalition leaders about a key change in election strategy that could see candidates contesting more than one seat.

Bernama

reported today that consultation was necessary since this was a policy matter, although he also said the decision need not be made immediately.

"Let me first discuss it at the top level whether we can allow it or not," he told reporters, when asked if BN was considering the possibility of candidates being allowed to contest both state and parliamentary seats.

The prime minister said this after attended a meeting today with state and federal administrative officers at Dewan Seri Negeri, Wisma Darul Aman, Kedah.

Abdullah, who is also acting Umno president, thanked BN elected representatives who had indicated they were prepared to withdraw from contesting in the 11th general election.

"That's good, I thank them, if they feel like retiring, it's okay, we will find other people as replacements," he said.

Kedah list not ready

Abdullah also said he had yet to receive the list of BN candidates who would be standing for elections in Kedah.

However, he was confident the Kedah BN could achieve a landslide victory while regaining its two-thirds majority in the state assembly. He is on a one-day visit to Kedah today

Abdullah said he had not received any report about problems faced in the state but that, if there were any, efforts would be taken immediately to resolve these.

Commenting on press reports on Sunday that said voters' support in Kedah had shifted back to the BN, he said: "Alhamdulillah, (but) this does not mean that although the report is true, we need not work. A good report does not mean we have to stop work."

While noting that the BN remains positive about winning in Kedah, he said supporters could not neglect their responsibility to vote in order to ensure victory.

Abdullah also noted that it was normal during the run-up to an election, for certain parties to claim that the BN was not doing its job in government.

What was more important, he said, was that BN leaders should have self-confidence and be sincere about serving the people and country.

He added that BN leaders should do their best because citizens are intelligent enough to evaluate the government's actions.