MARAN: Barisan Nasional, through Umno, will not only field a winnable but also likeable candidate who represents the unity government in the upcoming Nenggiri state by-election on Aug 17.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the potential candidate could also be a local from the constituency.
"I believe the shortlisted candidates have to meet three criteria: (he or she) must ensure victory, is well-accepted by voters and is someone who represents the unity government voters.
"Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who has been appointed as the by-election director, will identify local leaders, including those from Nenggiri, who have the potential to be picked as candidate. Tengku Razaleigh is the Gua Musang Umno division chief.
"Tengku Razaleigh will discuss the list of potential candidates with the state Kelantan Umno liaison committee and forward the names to the Umno political bureau. The political bureau will endorse the candidate before nomination day," he told reporters after opening the Maran Umno delegates' meeting here.
Present was Maran Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahaniza Shamsuddin.
Yesterday, Zahid announced that Umno will field a candidate for the Nenggiri by-election.
It was reported that Gua Musang Umno has shortlisted three names as potential candidates for the by-election.
The trio are reportedly Gua Musang Umno Youth chief Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani, Gua Musang Umno information chief Amran Arifin and Gua Musang Wanita Umno chief Nor Fadzlete Aryani Mat Rosli.
Meanwhile, Zahid said he has instructed Kelantan BN and the state Umno liaison committee to deploy its entire election machinery to help the party's candidate win.
"I met with Kelantan BN chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan (Yaakub), who is also the election operations chief, to discuss the arrangements on the ground and strategy.
"The unity government component parties will be on the ground to campaign for Umno's candidate during the by-election," he said.