Quit being angry, Zahid tells BN leaders axed from GE15 line-up

BN leaders excluded from the 15th general election candidate line-up should not get angry and resort to actions that could ruin their respective parties and the coalition's reputation.

Its chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the decision to field many new faces for the upcoming polls was in line with the fact that about 50 percent of the electorate are those aged below 39 years old.

"Those who have been elected representatives for a long time should give chance to the younger generation (to compete).

"When the time has come for them (the older generation) to not be picked (for contest), they should accept the decision with a big heart," Zahid said in a statement today.

"Do not be sour, angry, protest (against the decision), and carry out sabotage such as closing operations centres, or issue statements that could ruin their party's reputation," the incumbent Bagan Datuk MP added.

Swipe at Shahidan?

While he did not mention names, the Umno president is believed to be referring to incumbent Arau MP Shahidan Kassim, who has vowed to defend the seat despite being dropped as a candidate for BN.

In view of this and other indiscretions, Shahidan said Zahid should step down as the party president and allow caretaker prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to run Umno.

On Oct 31, following rumours of his exclusion from the candidates’ list, which he called the "saddest night", Shahidan resorted to closing all BN operations centres in Arau and taking down party flags.

Shahidan further lambasted Zahid for "unilaterally" making decisions in choosing candidates and urged the latter to step down.

Young voices matter

According to Zahid, the candidates chosen to represent BN were picked based on the “WALI concept” - W for winnability, A for acceptability, and LI for likeability.

"It was not easy to choose the best of the best. A lot of considerations had to be taken into account before the candidates were finalised.

"The Umno Top 5 thoroughly scrutinised the screening process to choose candidates who can fit the bill, for the sake of rehabilitating and reviving the party and BN," he said.

The time for changes is now, Zahid stressed, because Umno and BN could be left behind as the opposition moves forward in fielding newer faces.

"The voice of the youth is very important and we should listen (to it), and give chances to the new faces to contest," he added.

Aside from Shahidan, the other "old faces" dropped from BN's GE15 line-up were Annuar Musa (Ketereh), Noh Omar (Tanjong Karang), Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak) Dr Adham Baba (Tenggara), Halimah Mohamed Sadique (Kota Tinggi), Zahidi Zainul Abidin (Padang Besar), Mohd Salim Sharif (Jempol) Ismail Abdul Muttalib (Maran) and Mastura Mohd Yazid (Kuala Kangsar).

Most of those on the list had served as either a minister or deputy minister under Ismail Sabri.

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