Names of all potential Umno GE15 candidates go to 'top five', says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno liaison chiefs from all states have to submit candidate names for the 15th General Election (GE) to the party's "top five", says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

During a press conference, the Umno president said this was to ensure all candidates fulfil three main criteria set by the party leadership.

"All GE candidates must have winnability, acceptability and likeability. Anyone with these three criteria can be a potential candidate for Umno," he told the media after attending a meeting with Umno wings and division chiefs at the Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre here.

He also said that this will be the last meeting for Umno and its members before the general election.

Ahmad Zahid added that the meeting also discussed preparations for the general election at local and zone levels.

All 191 divisions attended the meeting, including Umno supreme council members.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob also attended the meeting and gave a speech.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan and secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan were also present.

The Umno "top five" refers to the president, deputy president and the three vice-presidents.