SEREMBAN, Nov 3 — Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today reminded party members to not get too caught up in who will get to contest in the 15th general election (GE15).

Mohamad, who is fondly known as Tok Mat, said those not contesting in GE15 were giving way to younger candidates within the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition or component parties.

"The important thing is that the party must win, and the hope for us to be given a mandate by the people must be communicated together in these two weeks.

"So don’t get too caught up if some of our favourite candidates are not given a seat, or the candidates who aspire to stand or wanted to continue to serve.

"To those who are not nominated again, please have the generosity to give way to our next generation — other people who used to support us when we were nominated or even given a mandate to represent the party.

"This is the process of rejuvenating the party, a process where we filter and make a selection so that the leaders who represent the party are the leaders that we think have their own advantages to represent the party if they are given the mandate to establish a government,” Mohamad told reporters during a press conference at Wisma Umno Negri Sembilan here.

When asked about the possibility of protest votes arising from supporters of incumbents who have not been re-fielded, Mohamad said this was normal in any election.

"That happens every election, not just during a general election, but also by-elections or state elections.

"There will be turmoil because many also want to see their candidate given seats.

"But God-willing, it subsides after two or three days. I hope everybody can return to their senses,” he said.

On Monday, operation centres in 13 Umno operation centres under 13 Umno divisions in the Jempol parliamentary seat shut in a sign of protest after their ‘expected candidate’ was not listed for GE15.

According to a report by Berita Harian, the 13 Umno divisions involved were Batu Kikir Timir, Kampung Gajah Mati, Kampung Kuala Kepis, Batu Kikir Pekan, Taman Melor, Rompin, Serting Hilir, Palong 13, Serting Hilir 7, Taman Seri Serting, Taman Seri Rompin, Serting Hilir 1 and Palong 10.

Jempol Umno division chief Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif, who is the parliamentary incumbent, was not named as the party’s GE15 candidate for the constituency.

Earlier, Mohamad handed over endorsement letters to eight Umno members who will contest in GE15, including himself for the Rembau parliamentary seat.

They were Jempol Umno division deputy chief Datuk Shamsulkahar Mohd Deli for Jempol, Kuala Pilah Umno division deputy chief Adnan Abu Hasan for Kuala Pilah, Datuk Jalaluddin Alias for Jelebu, Wing Tin Tinh for Seremban, Ng Kuan Nam for Rasah, Datuk P. Kamalanathan for Port Dickson and Datuk Mohd Isam Mohd Isa for Tampin.