He said prime minister and BN chairman Najib Razak will have absolute discretion to determine the candidates from the ruling coalition’s various component parties based on their qualifications and worthiness in the polls which are due by August next year.
The former minister said Umno divisions were however, free to suggest names based on their preferences.
“The grassroots in Umno can recommend their choices but the full mandate is with the president to select the eventual candidates,” the Ketereh MP said, adding that the party’s supreme council had placed their confidence in Najib on the matter.
He said a quota system would only restrict Najib, who is also Umno president, when determining the most suitable candidate for a seat.
“Priority is given in line with the aspirations of the people. We do not want to tie the president down with issues of quotas based on the party’s divisions and so on,” Annuar told a press conference at the Putra World Trade Centre here today.
“We should give the president all the flexibility needed. He will make the decisions based on the overall situation,” he added.
Annuar was responding to a question on whether Umno would field more young faces in the election in order to appeal to young voters.