TEMERLOH: Barisan Nasional (BN) will train youngsters identified as having the potential to become future party leaders and candidates for the 16th General Election (GE16) at a political school established in Janda Baik.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that the political school, set up under the Umno Cadre and Training Council, would provide training in various leadership theories and practices to the identified candidates.
"(The establishment of the political school) was decided by the Supreme Council two months ago. We are in the preparation stages now and I hope (Pahang Menteri Besar) Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail will provide further details soon.
"I hope this new approach will be implemented nationwide, with Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy leading alongside the political school's leadership, which will provide courses and training at ILMU ( Institut Latihan Memperkasa Ummah in Janda Baik)," he said.
He said this to reporters after officiating the Pahang State BN Convention 2024 at the Tun Razak Hall here today. Also present were BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Wan Rosdy.
When asked about the candidate list, Zahid, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, stated that it would be determined by the respective state BN chairmen, with their performance evaluated during their attendance at the political school.
"We will evaluate who has the potential to win a particular seat, the acceptance of the voters and their level of likeability," he said.
Earlier, Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, in his speech said efforts to find leaders should begin early.
"Don't look for good orators; instead, (find) those who can truly serve the people, as BN and Umno are not seasonal parties that only appear during elections," he said.
Zahid also reminded the party not to take the upcoming election lightly, emphasising the need for all component parties in BN and friends of the coalition to work diligently as a team to win the hearts of voters, particularly among the younger generation.
–BERNAMA