Pahang BN has identified candidates who will be contesting in the 14th general election, including candidates from the component parties, said its chairperson Adnan Yaakob.

Adnan, who is also Pahang menteri besar, said the list of candidates had been submitted to BN chairperson Najib Abdul Razak for his consideration and approval.

"The prime minister has a new method of deciding on candidates who will be contesting and the party leadership have certain considerations before deciding on the candidates.

"In Pahang, the seats for component party candidates will be based on tradition. We may face defeat in an area, but we (Umno) will not field our candidate there as this is the rights of the component parties and we need to consider their feelings.

"The only thing we can do is to make sure that all our machinery do their best to ensure victory for BN candidates,” he told reporters after handing over "Bantuan Anak Pahang" (BAP) donations for Pelangai state constituency in Bentong today.

When asked on the percentage of new faces to be fielded in this election, Adnan said this was not an issue as the candidates were those who were popular in the area.

"I am not concerned if they are old or new faces as the candidates are not our choice but those who are well-liked by the people. We want the best for the people, so it's useless having young candidates but not popular among the people," he said.

Adnan added that he had requested all party machinery at branch and division levels to ensure that their goal was streamlined and to go down to the ground to mingle with the people.

"We need to focus to ensure that the areas assured of winning are not defeated because during this current political situation, our focus must be right," he said.

Meanwhile, Adnan said the BAP programme was a continuation of the school aid programme which had been carried out by the Pahang Foundation.

He said RM4 million was allocated to assist the poor and the aid had been distributed since December last year.

- Bernama