Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said today Prime Minister Najib Razak would announce the BN candidates for the 13th general election at the appropriate time after taking into account strategic issues.     

These issues included determining whether the announcement of the candidates should be made early, probably to give the BN candidates a head start, he told reporters after a special meeting with Terengganu administrative officers and professionals in Kuala Terengganu.

Muhyiddin, who is BN deputy chief and Umno deputy president, was commenting on a recent call by the Pahang Umno for the leadership to announce the BN candidates early to facilitate a better organised electoral campaign.   

“We cannot make a decision to say now is the time or when the appropriate time is. We have to consider the situation and the relevant candidates. We have to have a strategic stand.  

"When the prime minister wants to make that decision, he will take into account the strategic issues. Will an early announcement give us an advantage or are there other matters to be considered?" he said.

List still being fine-tuned

Muhyiddin said it was important that after the announcement of the candidates, all quarters should abide by and accept the decision of the leadership.

Yesterday, Najib said the BN had identified the BN candidates but the list was not finalised yet because it was an ongoing process right up to the election.

Earlier, in his address at the gathering, Muhyiddin advised civil servants not to do anything which could be damaging to the government and the people.

"Civil servants cannot do anything damaging and not beneficial to the people," he said.

He said the government helmed by Najib was transparent and accepted constructive criticism in bringing about transformation to the country.

- Bernama