PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is expected to visit Gerakan headquarters at Dewan Wawasan Tun Dr Lim Keng Yaik next month to discuss preparatory work for the 14th general election.

“Yes. There will be a special session with the Prime Minister,” Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng said when contacted.

He said the session is not open for media coverage and declined to elaborate on the details.

In an invitation letter sighted by The Star, the special session with the Prime Minister will be held on Jan 14.

The letter, dated Dec 22, also included an invitation to the Gerakan and MCA joint rally which will be held on Jan 6 at Dewan San Choon, Wisma MCA.

“In view of the upcoming 14th general election, the party’s headquarters is organising the two special events to mainly discuss strategic collaboration and preparatory work for the upcoming general election,” the letter reads.

The letter was addressed to the party’s central committee members, state liaison committee chairmen, national delegates, Wanita and Pemuda leaders and coordinators and task force committee members.

Najib attended a closed-door meeting with MCA leaders last Friday. It is rare for Najib, who is also Barisan chairman, to visit the MCA or Gerakan headquarters other than to open the parties’ annual general assemblies.

Najib is expected to conclude his visit to MIC and other Barisan Nasional’s component parties’ headquarters by February.

A general election is due latest by August next year. Barisan’s five-year term will end on June 24 next year, and an election must be held within 60 days following the dissolution of the Dewan Rakyat.

Berita Harian reported on Tuesday that the Barisan supreme council will hold a special meeting next Wednesday.

The meeting, which will be chaired by Najib, is expected to focus on preparations for the general election.

The Malay daily quoted several Barisan component parties’ leaders, including those from Sabah and Sarawak, as confirming the date of the special meeting.

Quoting sources, it said the special meeting will focus on candidate lists submitted by the component parties.

-The Star-