Ab Rauf: Umno divisions to submit three names for each state seat

AYER KEROH: Melaka Umno will examine the list of candidates submitted by its divisions, as well as MCA and MIC, ahead of the state election.

State Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said all Umno leaders have been asked to submit at least three potential candidates for each state seat for review.

"The candidates have not been decided yet. I have only asked for names of potential candidates to be considered and scrutinised. There is still plenty of time, so we will discuss them first," he said after chairing the Melaka Umno Liaison Committeemeeting at Seri Bendahara here last night.

Also present were state Umno Liaison Committee deputy chairman Datuk Rais Yasin and all division chiefs, including Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is also Jasin Umno division chief.

Ab Rauf said the proposed candidates would go through several vetting stages before the list is presented to top party leadership for a final decision.

Umno currently holds 18 state seats, while MCA and MIC hold two and one seat respectively.

Meanwhile, Ab Rauf said last night's meeting focused on state election preparations, including the activation of the party machinery at all levels.

He said the election machinery would be launched before nomination day to ensure all divisions and parliamentary constituencies are fully prepared.

"We will launch the BN machinery by parliamentary constituency before nomination day, but I am confident that preparations have been completed by all Umno division chiefs, who have taken responsibility to ensure our machinery at all levels is fully ready for the upcoming state election," he said.

"However, we are not taking the competition from other parties lightly, as they are also fielding candidates in all 28 state seats. Umno is prepared for any possibility, but our focus remains on retaining the 21 seats we won in the last state election."