IPOH: Candidates for the 15th General Election should be from various backgrounds and not just professionals, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The Perak Mentri Besar said in order to form a government, the representatives need to be from various fields.
"Just like in football, you need strikers, defenders and wingers to form a team.
"Such a combination (of various backgrounds) is required to form a government," he told a press conference after a programme with army veterans at Taman Perpaduan here in conjunction with Warriors Day on Monday (Aug 1).
"But if among the new faces are professionals, why not?" he added.
Saarani was asked whether the general make-up of Perak Barisan Nasional candidates would consist of professionals.
This was after national Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had remarked during the Selangor Barisan Convention on Sunday (July 31) that professionals with potential should be given the opportunity to contest in GE15 to retake Selangor.
Saarani said Perak Barisan has not finalised its candidates but some who had been long-serving may be asked to step aside for young blood.
"Candidates or representatives that don't perform or those who have been long-serving, we ask them to be prepared to make way for new faces.
"We are also looking into whether those who lost in GE14 would be dropped.
"Those who were defeated, if they still can get strong support (could still contest).
"(Some lost) Not because they are not good but due to internal (party) issues and it would be unfair to them.
"As long as the candidate is winnable and likeable, be it an old or new face, lost or won, they can still contest," he added.
