Stressing the importance of Barisan Nasional (BN) achieving massive wins in the two seats, Nazri said the results of the by-elections would be a reflection of the public’s acceptance of the prime minister.
Hence, the selection of the candidates was not a process that could be taken lightly, he added.
“Although we had won a landslide victory in Sarawak, that was (Sarawak Chief Minister) Adenan Satem’s test. The upcoming by-elections are Najib’s test as these are parliamentary seats.
“Whatever happens in these by-elections will be linked to Najib as this is his test. These parliamentary elections are all about Najib as a prime minister and the president of BN.”
The Tourism and Culture Minister, speaking at a press conference in Central Market here today, also stressed on fielding local candidates in the two seats.
This, he explained, was because it had been proven time and again that constituents preferred local candidates over those who hailed from other areas.
“This is not the time for a trial run on whether or not we can place outsiders as candidates. Umno is very influential in rural areas, especially among the Malays who prefer a representative they already know.
“BN candidates who contested in the last general election, from MPs to state representatives, were all locals in their respective areas.
“This is a very important factor. The prime minister himself has said that times have changed and now we have to engage and consult the locals.”
Nazri added that the candidates should only be selected by the president, deputy, and secretary-general of Umno. This decision, he cautioned, must be made based on the sentiment on the ground.
“I hope the leaders will take heed of this. The prime minister has said that he will listen to the voices of those on the ground. We have to make sure the majority this time around is bigger than the last time, especially after the success in Sarawak.”
The by-elections are set to take place on June 18 after the demise of Deputy Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar Member of Parliament Wan Muhammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad in a tragic helicopter crash on May 5.