KUALA LUMPUR: Umno will take into consideration all suggestions in the selection process for the party's candidate in the Mahkota state seat by-election in Johor.
Party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said this included the proposal from Umno Youth chief Dr Muhammad Akmal Saleh for the party to consider fielding a candidate from the wing in the Sept 28 by-election.
"We have received a list of potential candidates from the division and Johor Umno. The list includes names of potential candidates from the Youth wing as well as from Wanita (Umno).
"All of them will be taken into consideration," he told reporters after visiting the Laman Media at the Umno General Assembly at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre.
Asked if the candidates are new faces, Zahid replied: "Yes, they are. As I said earlier, we will take into consideration whether the candidate will be from the Youth (wing) or Wanita (movement).
"We will use the 'WALI' or winnability, acceptability and likeability approach in deciding the candidates," he said.
Zahid had yesterday confirmed that he would be chairing a series of meetings next week to discuss matters related to the Mahkota by-election.
The meetings, he had said, would include the Johor Umno liaison committee and the top state BN leadership.
The Mahkota seat fell vacant following the death of its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain on Aug 2.
The Election Commission fixed Sept 14 for the nomination of candidates and Sept 28 for polling for the by-election.