MELAKA: Incumbents who were dropped and those not selected to contest in the Melaka state election on Nov 20 will be considered as candidates for parliamentary seats in the next general election, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said.

       He said the decision taken by Barisan was a new and bold approach that met its Wali (winnable, acceptable and likeable) criteria.

       “State assemblymen who were dropped had already provided excellent service to the party for two or three terms and maybe more. The party would like to thank them and hope they will help out the new candidates.

       “As for those not selected, Insya-Allah they will be considered in the future for a parliamentary seat in the general election. What is important now is to secure a win for our party,” he said in a Facebook posting yesterday.

       Barisan deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan yesterday announced that voters would see “new faces” that make up 86% of its candidates as the coalition would retain only four incumbents for the Melaka polls, reported Bernama.

       They are former chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali; health and anti-drug committee chairman Datuk Rahmad Mariman; tourism, heritage and culture committee chairman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis; and Datuk Zaidi Attan.