Closed door meeting discusses preparation for election

KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional component party leaders kicked off the new year with a supreme council meeting to reinforce preparation for the 14th general election.

Held at the Putra World Trade Centre, the closed door session lasted almost two hours, ending at about 10.45pm yesterday.

Without going into the meeting details, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said component parties were focusing on forming a united front to face the general election, which must be held by August this year.

“Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) stressed the importance of unity among the component parties.

“We are all prepared and we are a cohesive unit to face the general election,” Liow said late last night.

When asked on whether Barisan has finalised the list of candidates, Liow said component parties submitted the potential names and it is Najib’s prerogative to decide.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the meeting was just part of Barisan’s housekeeping.

“We are just going through the process. Preparations are as usual.”

When pressed on whether seat negotiations were discussed, Hishammudin said: “No, that’s not one to be discussed in the supreme council meeting.”

He stressed there was still time for that.

MIC deputy president Datuk Seri S.K. Devamany said the discussion was on working towards the election.

“We talked about preparations for the general election. We must be very well prepared, and work on consensus on every level.”

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili, meanwhile, expressed confidence that Barisan would win in Sabah and that Barisan would continue to form the Federal Government after election.

“PBS is ready,” he said.