JOHOR BARU, June 16 — Barisan Nasional (BN) Youth said today it hopes that the top leadership will consider its suggestion to represent 30 per cent of the coalition's candidates for the state elections.

The wing's deputy chief Mohd Hairi Md Shah said that the proposal is not intended to marginalise the older and more experienced candidates, but with the aim of securing the future prospects of the coalition.

"The current leadership is constantly being evaluated by the people,” he told reporters when met at the Johor Agro Bazaar sales event at Jalan Datin Halimah in Larkin here.

"That is why the participation of the younger generation, especially for women, should be highlighted.”

Mohd Hairi was present in his role as the state youth, sports, entrepreneur development, cooperatives and human resources committee chairman, as well as the Larkin assemblyman.

He said the suggested quota was also the same that was previously proposed by Umno Youth in the 15th general election.

The Umno Youth deputy chief said he had already met with the wing’s election machinery from the six states involved in the polls during the recent Umno general assembly.

He said the meeting was to discuss preparations for the coming state elections before any proposed inputs will be forwarded to the party’s higher leadership.

On BN Youth's cooperation with their Pakatan Harapan (PH) counterparts, Mohd Hairi denied that the movement will face challenges in being united to face an election for the first time.

The Umno Youth election director explained that both sides have committed to working as a team to ensure success in the coming polls for the six states, despite being political enemies before.

The Pakatan Harapan-held states of Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, as well as the PAS-led states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu decided not to hold their state elections at the same time as the 15th general election last November.

Penang already announced that its state assembly would dissolve on June 28 and Kelantan on June 22, with Negeri Sembilan expected to do so on June 30.