THE World Cup is not the only event getting social media users excited over a good fight.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s decision to run for Umno president against Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, at a time when Barisan Nasional is on the verge of falling apart, has the makings of a highly-anticipated match.

“Tengku Razaleigh vs Zahid. It will be an exciting match to watch indeed,” Facebook user Francis Yip Hon Cheng said.

The popular 81-year-old Umno veteran, known as Ku Li, just announced his candidacy this afternoon.

The Kelantan prince and Gua Musang MP will go against former deputy prime minister Zahid, who is Umno vice-president, and entrepreneur-blogger Rahmar Azim Abdul Aziz from the Kota Raja Umno division.

Some social media users welcomed Razaleigh’s decision. Some also think him a better choice than Zahid, who has been assuming the duties of party president since the resignation of Najib Razak following BN’s defeat in the 14th general election on May 9.

“Umno’s best bet for a comeback ... even a revamped and reform-oriented party,” another Facebook user Jayakrishnan Seeridaran said.

On Twitter, Adam (@Hicarll), who signed off as “someone who has lost faith in Umno”, said it would be best for the country to have Razaleigh lead Umno to make the opposition stronger, rather than giving Zahid the top post.

Siao Kent Sing also said he thought Razaleigh would be the better choice than Zahid, who had “baggage”.

“No offence to Zahid but I believed that Ku Li’s leadership at the moment would be most welcome.

“While Zahid has influence and strength, it would not be sufficient, as he has his baggage that he carried over from the time he was the DPM.

“Let’s see another round of Semangat 46 against Tun’s Umno for one last time. And I hope this time, history doesn’t repeat again. Muahaha!!!” he said on Facebook.

In 1987, Razaleigh challenged then Umno president and prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and lost. But the election led to a split in Umno as Razaleigh disputed the election results.

The split led Umno’s deregistration. Dr Mahathir formed Umno Baru while Razaleigh left Umno and founded Parti Melayu Semangat 46 in 1989. He disbanded Semangat 46 in 1996 and rejoined Umno.

Amirul Ruslan (@amirulruslan) on Twitter reflected on the events surrounding Umno’s party polls in 1987.

“1987 was 31 years ago. Ku Li nearly beat Dr M for the Umno presidency, and his career never recovered.

“It’ll be very interesting to see him take on Zahid to be #1. It’ll cost a lot, in money and emotions. May he have the stomach for a fight.”

Not everyone is as enthusiastic about Razaleigh’s decision. Some believe Umno needs new people to reform the party.

Sum Km remarked: “Umno needs new blood and new vision, not oldies like Tengku Razaleigh.

“Not everyone can make a comeback like exceptional Tun Mahathir,” she added, comparing Razaleigh with Dr Mahathir, who turns 93 in July and has returned as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia in the Pakatan Harapan government.

Kaye Lionel on Facebook compared Razaleigh and Zahid and remarked sarcastically that it would be better to ask Najib to return as Umno president.

“...at least the party can use him (Najib) as a scapegoat if anything goes wrong. Either way, BN is painstakingly evaporating into thin air,” he said.

Some remarked that Razaleigh was making another attempt for the Umno presidency now that his one-time nemesis Dr Mahathir was out of the party.

Vin Cheng said now was the time for Razaleigh to “fulfil his Umno (president) dream again”.

“Ini Kali La!!! (Now is the time!!!) Waited so long for another go at the post!!!” Ken Chin said. – June 16, 2018