Umno's top leadership should name its candidates earlier to avoid acts of sabotage within the party during the next general election.

Umno Veteran Club secretary Datuk Mustapha Yaakub (pic) said the move would make it easier to identify Umno members who are involved in that act of sabotage.

"With this, the action towards the saboteurs will be more effective rather than taking action against them at the last minute which would only be after the nominations."

He said by announcing the names of the candidates in advance, efforts of persuasion can be done more effectively against those who are not selected.

On Friday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Umno's president, said the Umno Supreme Council had agreed to form a special committee to monitor and take immediate action against any party members betraying or sabotaging Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates during the 13th general election.

Mustapha said Umno's top leadership should also come up with a plan to deal with those who are not selected to create a win-win situation for all parties.

"Leaders who are not chosen should be informed earlier to avoid any form of embarassment if they are not selected at the last minute.

"This method can avoid or reduce the act of sabotage from those who are not selected to compete,” he said.