UMNO candidates representing Barisan Nasional (BN) in the next general election must meet the criteria of “Wali”, namely winnable, acceptable and likeable, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

Zahid, who is also BN chairman, said every Umno state liaison committee chairman is required to submit the list of candidates to the party’s top five, and the negotiation process for the selection of candidates will begin next Monday.

“Whoever meets these criteria (Wali) will be Umno’s candidate representing BN. There are no clusters,” he told a press conference after a meeting with more than 700 delegates from 191 Umno divisions at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

Zahid said this was one of the messages he delivered at the hour-long meeting, which was also attended by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who is also Umno vice-president.

On criticism over Umno’s stance to hold the polls this year, Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, said the party remains steadfast that they should be held before the flood season.

“We appreciate their criticisms, but as they are not part of BN, they need to respect Umno’s stance. GE15 must be held this year,” he said, referring to the next general election.

The Umno Supreme Council meeting on September 30 has agreed that the polls should be held this year. As such, the prime minister will present the proposed date of the dissolution of parliament to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong in line with article 40(1) of the Federal Constitution. – Bernama, October 4, 2022.