GE13: Clean bill of health for Barisan candidates

PETALING JAYA: All the Barisan Nasional candidates who will file nomination papers today have been given a clean bill of health after undergoing compulsory health screening.

The Barisan leadership wanted the medical checks to prevent a repeat of a large number of by- elections since the 2008 polls after the incumbents died.

Six by-elections were for parliamentary seats and 10 for state seats.

Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said those with diseases such as cancer and heart ailments were not considered.

“We want to ensure that all candidates selected will be able to provide the best service to their constituents.

“Exceptions were made in ailments such as high-blood pressure and diabetes because these can be controlled with medication, but candidates were evaluated on a case-by-case basis,” he said yesterday.

Tengku Adnan said the high number of by-elections after the 2008 elections was a matter of concern for the party's leadership.

As for himself, Tengku Adnan said he underwent a check two months ago and was “definitely fit”.

Meanwhile, MCA deputy president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai described the compulsory medical checks as a good initiative by Barisan.

Liow, who is Health Minister, said that in the past more than 80% of by-elections were held because of deaths of MPs or assemblymen.

“The health screening can help prevent wastage of public funds through the holding of by-elections,” he said.

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