No room for personal agenda, says Najib

Barisan Nasional (BN) will not allow personal goals to overshadow party objectives in its battle during the upcoming general election.

Its president, Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, today said candidacy and seat allocations are simply processes in the general election and are not the party's end objective, which is to form a strong and viable government.

"The purpose of my meeting with party leaders is to explain to them that the final process in the preparation for the election is to determine seat allocation and candidates, and I also explained to them a few factors which we will take into consideration in seat allocation and decisions on candidacy.

"This is so they understand that the selection process is a complex and complicated process, and it is impossible to fulfil the wishes of all parties," Najib said at a press conference.

He said the objective is to form a government, and urged all hopefuls to accept this is as a fact.

"Candidacy should be a means to an end ... of forming a strong government. We will not allow other feelings or considerations to replace this objective," he stressed.

He also said the decision on candidates will take into account factors such as candidate acceptability, capability and track record in order to come to a fair decision for all.

Najib, who is also Umno president, said the full list of candidates for BN is expected to be revealed in a few days.

"We will use, with a few tweaks, the 2008 'template' for seat allocation. We will change the template according to the results of the 2008 general election.

"However, the candidates who lost in 2008 will not necessarily be left out. We need to be flexible in naming our candidates based on current needs. If a defeated candidate has worked hard and is accepted by the constituents, he has a chance to be fielded again," he said.

Meanwhile, when approached by reporters after the meeting, party leaders weighed in on Najib's message.

Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam called on all concerned to put party interests first.

"Leave the candidacy to the BN leadership. To those who do not get a seat, do not despair. Party first, candidates second," he said.

Former Perlis chief minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said success will come to those who are patient.

"To those who do not get a place, be patient and take it as a test. To those who (are chosen), be grateful," he said.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said members should support chosen candidates to give BN a concrete foundation to get through the election smoothly without any form of sabotage.

"Candidates have to be given full support by all members," he stressed.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said Najib's message was "complete" and well accepted by all who heard it.

The general election, set for May 5, is expected to be the most fiercely contested yet, with Najib needing a strong mandate to remain in power after 2008's shocking upset, where the BN lost its traditional two-thirds majority.