PUTRAJAYA, May 9 — Umno has initiated preparations to face two parliamentary by-elections, in Sungai Besar, Selangor, and Kuala Kangsar, Perak, party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said today.

He said the party had identified several potential candidates and was also studying the list of voters and the demography. 

The seats fell vacant after Sungai Besar MP Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad were killed in a helicopter crash in Sarawak last Thursday.

"Although it is still early, the Umno headquarters has initiated the preparations, including identifying potential candidates.

"We will furnish the information to Umno President Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the Umno Supreme Council meeting expected to be held at the end of this month," he told a press conference at his office here.

Tengku Adnan said he was confident the Barisan Nasional would retain the two seats in the by-elections. 

He also said that the party disciplinary board had completed a report on the investigation into alleged indiscipline by former deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir. 

The report would be tabled at the next meeting of the party supreme council, he added. — Bernama