IPOH: Perak Barisan Nasional does not discount the possibility of fielding individuals from organisations friendly to the coalition in the general election, its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said.
He said it was not impossible for Barisan to field alternative candidates not from component parties under its banner as long as they have the right qualities.
"Barisan candidates will be selected based on their calibre and potential of helping us win.
"We have met many people with such qualities, as such it will not be an easy task to select them," he told reporters after chairing the weekly state executive council meeting here yesterday.
He added that Perak Barisan would be contesting in all state and parliamentary seats in the elections.
On an unrelated matter, the Mentri Besar said the state government had proposed to the Federal Government to set up a port authority in Perak.
He said shipping activities were expected to increase and a good regulator was needed to ensure smooth port operations.
Dr Zambry revealed that there were 4,574 ships carrying cargo worth RM10.6mil moving in and out of the state last year.
"We expect this number to increase to 7,500 ships with cargo worth RM44mil in 2014 and 9,800 ships with cargo worth RM111mil in 2016.
"Hopefully, we will get a positive reply from the Federal Government," he added.
Dr Zambry said the state government would also explain the need for Pangkor Island to be declared a duty-free haven, explaining its proposal to do so was shot down by the Federal Government recently.
"We want to explain our proposal in detail and hope to meet with the Federal Government on this," he added.
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