State Umno secretary Md Jais Sarday said although they appreciated Shahrir’s well-meant intention on the matter, Umno still needed his ideas and his “touch” due to his vast political experience with the party.
He added however, that it is up to the Umno leadership to determine if Shahrir should stand in the next general election (GE14).
“If the leadership sees that his service or guidance is still needed, he should reconsider his decision,” Jais said.
Shahrir, 67, has been Johor Bahru MP from 1978 to 1990, and from 2004 to the present.
He has formerly served in the federal government as the domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, and is also a former chairman of the Dewan Rakyat’s Public Accounts Committee.
Jais said Umno especially needs his ideas and experience during this period to face the election which is due by the middle of next year.
Shahrir had yesterday reiterated his stand to not contest in GE14 and expressed confidence in the ability of the emerging local leaders under him to take over.
Shahrir, who was appointed Felda chairman earlier this year, said Johor Bahru voters are very mature in evaluating their choices at the ballot box.
He said it was time for him to retire from electoral politics and give the opportunity for others to serve.
“We must have confidence in the young to continue our struggle. I myself have always shared and inculcated noble values in them,” he said, adding that the new leaders would carry on with the work that he has done.
He said he had trained a team of about 30 members, including those from the youth, women and the puteri wings of the party.
Shahrir added that he had also been asked to propose five names to the Umno leadership for one to be chosen to replace him in contesting for the Johor Bahru parliamentary seat in GE14.