No place for saboteurs, says Zambry

IPOH- Perak Barisan Nasional will not field “saboteurs” as candidates in the next general election even if they are “winnable candidates”.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said candidates who were selected to represent Barisan must have “winnability” and loyalty.

“I cannot allow those who have sabotaged the party in the past to stand as candidates again, knowing fully well they had cost us the state government. These people should not be made elected representatives just because they are winnable candidates, as required by the coalition's top leadership.

“I believe true winnable candidates are not saboteurs,” he told The Star in a special interview at his official residence here.

Asked about his criteria of a winnable candidate, Dr Zambry, who is state Barisan chairman, said such candidates, whether old or young, were well-liked and accepted by the people and ready to sacrifice their own interests for the people.

He said the task of identifying winnable candidates was continuous, adding that Perak Barisan was in the midst of doing so.

“The most important thing is that those who are not winnable must go, regardless of their age,” he added.

Dr Zambry said the people should not only expect long-serving Barisan leaders to make way for fresh faces but also expect the same of Opposition party leaders.

“While Barisan is being expected to field fresh candidates, the Opposition must also do the same, instead of retaining the same leaders for decades.

“There are Opposition leaders who are way over 70, but still refuse to relinquish their positions,” he said.

On talk that he might be fielded in a parliamentary seat instead of a state seat in the next election, the Pangkor assemblyman said he would leave the matter to the leadership.

“Being mentri besar is not my ultimate aim. My aim is to be with Barisan and to serve the people,” said the two-term assemblyman.

-TheStar