BN need not field 'parachute candidates' in by-elections - Nazri

He said the best candidates were locals because they would certainly be able to discharge their duties effectively and know the aspirations of the people in their respective constituencies.

"I don't see any candidates from outside with potentials to be 'parachuted' in both the by-elections. In addition, there is no reason to not field local candidates in both constituencies," he told reporters after opening the 2016 Entrepreneurship Seminar for the Padang Rengas Parliamentary Constituency, here today.

Mohamed Nazri, who is also the Tourism and Culture Minister, said this when asked to comment on rumours that UMNO would give space to outside candidates instead of locals to contest in both the by-elections.

Commenting further, he said the BN must choose the criteria of a winnable candidate and well-liked by the electorate to defend the two Parliamentary seats.

"The candidate must have the passion and dedication because these can decide victory for the BN. Now, the people do not place importance on the party, but the people choose the candidate who is liked and loved by the constituents.

"The candidate should not only be acceptable to the UMNO division but also accepted by the component parties because BN is a multi-racial party," he said.

The Kuala Kangsar by-election must be held following the death of its Member of Parliament Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak on May 5.

Also killed in the crash were the Deputy Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities Datuk Noriah Kasnon.

The Election Commission had fixed the election date for the Parliamentary Constituencies of Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar on June 18 while nomination day is June 5.