Umno to field 70% new faces in the GE15, says Ahmad Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: At least 70% of Umno’s candidates for the GE15 will be new faces, says party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said the party was committed to offer fresh faces to represent Umno and Barisan Nasional as a game changer to attract voters.

"I have discussed this with Umno’s top five and we are determined to put at least 70% new faces as our candidates in GE15," he said in his winding up speech at the Umno general assembly on Saturday (March 19).

He assured the party’s wings that there would be more candidates from the Youth, Wanita and Puteri movements who would be fielded in the next general election.

Ahmad Zahid also said that division heads who were under 50 years of age and met the "Wali" criteria (winnable, likeable and acceptable) would also be considered for candidacy.

The Umno president also launched the party’s latest project known as Project 123.

The project entailed the party’s plans to become a dominant party in the government, as well as to lead in both state and Federal levels.

Zahid said the third project was for Umno to set up a school of politics, which would be named the People’s Democratic Centre.

"It is important for us to win the national polls with a strong and convincing majority so that all initiatives can be put in place and carried out.

"This is especially so when it comes to looking after the wellbeing of the people and to push for economic growth," he said.