Tengku Razaleigh, who is 81, has been urged to contest the party leadership in the wake of the resignation of Najib Razak after the party’s defeat at the general election.
He merely answered reporters’ questions about the chances of him standing, by saying: “More than 50/50 lah. If they (the grassroots) asked me to jump, then I will jump.”
There has been speculation that he would announce his candidacy tomorrow at a post-general election forum at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, in Kampung Baru, a traditional venue of Umno events.
He acknowledged, however, that his age might work against him in a party contest, and hoped younger people would take the lead.
“There are so many young and talented people, who are better educated and better exposed. We must allow these young people to lead,” he said.
Pressed further to say if he would be contesting, he replied: “Be patient lah.”
Nominations for the party elections close on June 17, with voting taking place on June 30. The elections are the first in almost three years after the party successfuly obtain extensions of its election deadline.
After Najib resigned, vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took over the duties of president, after having deputised since Muhyiddin Yassin was expelled. Another vice-president, Hishammuddin Hussein, has filled in as deputy president.
Zahid has announced his candidacy for the president’s position, while Hishammuddin has announced he would not contest any post, sharing the responsibility for the party’s defeat with his cousin, Najib. The two men are grandsons of Umno’s founding president Onn Jaafar.
Supreme Council member Mohamad Hasan, former menteri besar of Negeri Sembilan, has announced his intention to contest to be deputy president.