MIC president G Palanivel said the party's list of candidates to contest in the coming general election would only be submitted to Prime Minister and BN chairman Najib Razak after parliament is dissolved.

He, however, did not say whether the list was ready or not.

"I have received offers to contest in a number of states but I have not made a decision on this," he said after launching a BN Juara Rakyat programme in Cheras today.

The event saw 150 senior citizens and the disabled from various races receiving RM200 in cash aid from the Cheras Umno division.

Palanivel is confident that BN will make a bigger political impact in the elections this time due to increased support from the Malays and Indians for Najib's leadership, besides efforts to draw more support from the Chinese community.

Palanivel, who is also minister in the Prime Minister's Department, noted  that Najib himself always went to the ground to get close to the people and understand their problems.

He said this gesture was important to win the hearts and minds of the people in ensuring victory for BN in the coming elections.

Gerakan still scrutinising list

Meanwhile, Gerakan is scrutinising its list of candidates before handing it to Najib.

NONEIts president Koh Tsu Koon said each candidate listed would go through some processes including screening by people with no vested interest in the party.

"The list of candidates consists of old and new faces," he said to reporters after launching the Yuan Carnival at Juru Autocity, Bukit Mertajam, today.

Koh who is also minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said Penang BN had always been ready for the coming general election.

"We don't need to launch our (state BN) election machinery as it has been working very hard since last year.

"It's already in the election mood and only waiting for the moment," he said.

- Bernama