AFTER keeping Umno members guessing for weeks, Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah finally announced his intention to contest the post of Umno president.
The 81-year old Gua Musang MP will take on Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is currently the party’s interim president.
“I humbly offer myself to contest the Umno presidency,” Razaleigh said in a short statement read out at his residence in Kuala Lumpur today.
Tengku Razaleigh said he was willing to contest the number one post to bring change to Umno and make it relevant again after its trashing in the 14th general election.
Umno also needed to be a strong opposition in Parliament, now that the Barisan Nasional coalition had lost most of its component parties after the polls.
“I will continue to look after the welfare of the party grassroots in accordance with protecting the interests of the Malays, while respecting and preserving the diversity of races in this country,” he said.
Razaleigh’s announcement will make this the most fiercely fought party elections in close to 30 years as Umno seeks to rebuild itself following its disastrous defeat in the 14th general election.
He was also involved in Umno’s last contentious election where he made the historic challenge for the top post in 1987 against then-incumbent Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
That was the contest which broke the party and led to Umno being deregistered. It also birthed the 1988 constitutional crisis.
Razaleigh has since 2000 attempted to contest the presidency but could not get the required number of nominations under the party’s old rules to officially qualify.
Umno has since dispensed with the rule of minimum division nominations for this party elections.
When pressed by reporters, Razaleigh denied claims he was leading a team, as he did in 1988.
“There is no pact. Anyone can contest. They can offer themselves for any post.”
Razaleigh also refused to endorse any other candidate including Mohamad Hassan or Annuar Musa, two senior Umno leaders who are contesting for the deputy president’s post.
He was accompanied at the press conference by party supreme council members Johari Gani and former Johor menteri besar Mohamad Khaled Nordin. Johari is contesting for one of three Umno vice-president posts.
In jest, Razaleigh said that he is confident of getting the support of all 191 Umno divisions, all which will be voting for the party’s supreme council posts simultaneously on June 30.
The former Finance Minister also said he had an advantage over Zahid, a former Umno deputy president and deputy prime minister.
“Members are demanding change and we want change. I am confident of my chances. That’s why I am here, to offer myself.”
Razaleigh said he will work to ensure that Umno continues to remain relevant in the post-GE14 political landscape.
“Malaysia has reached a political maturity that it can be proud of. This maturity needs mature political leaders. The same thing applies to Umno.
“As a person who has been in active politics since 1962, I understand the twists and turns of party politics.” – June 16, 2018.
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