Barisan Nasional is still unprepared to face the upcoming general election and the Permatang Pauh polling, said former finance minister, Tun Daim Zainuddin.

Notwithstanding all the strategic measures adopted by BN for the Permatang Pauh by-election, Daim stressed that BN should be prepared in devising their strategies as well as the candidate after sentencing Opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, said Daim in an exclusive interview with Malaysia Gazette.

In the report, Daim was quoted saying that “the Permatang Pauh by-election has been ill-prepared. After Anwar was detained, UMNO should be prepared.

“The planning should start now, so why wait? There should be a candidate already who has should be out campaigning,” he said when asked if UMNO and BN is ready to face the upcoming by-election.

Meanwhile, when asked who will be the next generation in UMNO, Daim said Deputy Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is the most suitable individual who is capable to bring change.

Muhyiddin, however needs to manage a wise and knowledgeable team to ensure an effective administration.

“A leader needs a wise and brainy and knowledgeable about the country. I must say that Muhyiddin is capable, and must know the history of the country. If one is ignorant, then how do we move forward.

He further reiterated that if Muhyiddin is not given the torch to lead UMNO, the party will be divided.
Muhyiddin in a statement issued on Thursday urged Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to give Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak the opportunity to lead the country according to his way.

He said, not every aspects implemented by the present administration had received the stamp of approval from the former prime minister and that was how it was during the latter's leadership as there were a series of outcomes that had not been agreed upon by all.