WINNABLE CANDIDATE SHOULD BE PRIORITY

By : NEWMOND TIBIN

SABAH Umno Deputy Liaison Chief, Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said Keruak believes that the winnable candidate should have priority in making adjustments to the Barisan Nasional's (BN) existing formula on allocation of seats for the coming next general election.

He said there was no point in asking for the seat, "if you do not have a chance to win it".

Salleh, who is also State Legislative Assembly Speaker, said winnable candidates, among others, should be popular, well-liked among voters and team player.

"They should also possess good personality and willing to serve all or accessible to all," he told Bernama, here today.

The former Chief Minister was commenting on the statement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday on the matter.

Najib, who is BN chairman, said the adjustments were necessary to adapt to the local circumstances due to a change in the political dynamics.

The formula on seat allocation was drawn up in 2004 and applied in 2008.

Salleh said other factors including the respective strength of the parties in the coalition in their respective areas also needed to be looked into.

Hence, he suggested that the party or parties which were not selected to contest for a particular or certain seats, be accomodated in other political positions.

Salleh expressed confidence that the adjustments would bring a positive outcome for BN in the next general election.