KUANTAN: Pahang Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to spring some surprises when announcing its parliamentary and state seat candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15) tomorrow.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said 70 per cent of the slate would be new faces.
"The list is almost finalised and the names include a combination of women and youth.
"Some old faces have been retained and young leaders have been included on the list... about 60 to 70 per cent are new faces," he told reporters after attending the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia 2021 excellence awards in Jerantut here today.
Meanwhile, political and legal expert Professor Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod said it would be timely for veteran politicians in Pahang to make way for new faces.
"The BN leadership in Pahang must make the bold step to put their trust in young leaders... maybe introduce potential young and women leaders who are in their 40s at the state seats to replace veteran assemblymen, including some who have served for more than five terms.
"Based on their track record, some long-serving state candidates could be also promoted to parliament seats in their areas. Since the assemblymen have developed a strong bond with their constituents, they could be considered for the parliament seats, but not everyone is eligible," he said.
A BN insider said GE15 could see Wan Rosdy reshuffle state seat candidates.
"Some of the elected representatives have been serving the same constituency for five terms... and some even six terms. In previous general elections, there were minor changes in the line-up but there could be major surprises in GE15.
"Some veteran assemblymen might be dropped to make way for new faces and a few might be chosen to contest the parliament seats. Even those previously appointed to the state executive council might find their names missing from the list," said the insider.
At least two long-serving assemblymen are expected to be promoted and stand for election in a parliamentary constituency, and there is a chance that Wan Rosdy would join them.
Pahang Umno Youth chief Mohd Farid Mohd Nor and the eldest son of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Datuk Nizar Mohd Najib are among those tipped to stand in the state seats.
Senior party leaders have been tight-lipped about the candidate list, while former elected representatives and potential candidates mere said "wait till the party leadership makes an announcement".
To date, eight-term Pelangai assemblyman and former menteri besar Tan Sri Adnan Yaakob along with two-term Jerantut member of parliament Datuk Ahmad Nazlan Idris have announced to they would not stand in GE15.
Pahang Umno secretary Datuk Seri Ab Hamid Nazahar said Pahang BN would announce its candidates at a hotel in Kuantan tomorrow.
