Umno divisional and branch leaders should open wide the door for professionals and intellectuals to join the party and then field them as candidates for the general election.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he felt that Umno was facing a dearth of capable leaders as the leadership at the divisional and branch levels were hampering their entry into the party.

NONE"For decades Umno has 'not allowed' the smart ones to join the party. That is why many doctors have joined PAS.

"This ultimately makes it difficult for Umno to find suitable candidates in ensuring victory in the elections," he said after delivering his keynote address at the Global Culture Symposium organised by SM Sains Muzaffar Shah in Malacca today.

Also present was Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam.

Dr Mahathir said Umno must practise meritocracy in choosing candidates to contest in the general election including from outside the party and not only from among the top leaders in the divisions.

"We want talented and qualified people, then only we can form a capable government," said Dr Mahathir, who also admitted that hindrances for the professionals to join Umno also existed when he was party president.

He said the Umno leadership must realise that BN's victory in a general election was determined together by voters who were non-Umno members as votes from Umno members alone were not enough to win seats.

Dr Mahathir said Umno today did not give the opportunity for outsiders comprising professionals and intellectuals to be chosen as election candidates because the divisional members were reluctant to support such candidates.

"We should accept good candidates, whether they are Umno members or not," he added.

- Bernama