The unanimous decision was reached during a recent meeting of state Umno leaders that was also attended by a candidate for deputy president.
The source said the state leaders were more inclined to back acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi against six other contenders for the presidency, including Tengku Razaleigh, who is popularly known as Ku Li, and Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.
“We shall advise members and division heads to choose candidates who are already holding positions in the Supreme Council,” the source said, adding that delegates would be reminded to vote for the candidate who is suitable to be the leader of the party.
“Kelantan Umno is more likely to support Zahid as president and Annuar Musa as the deputy,” the source said.
Annuar, who is Ketereh MP and a former Cabinet minister, is expected to do battle with former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan and Pekan Umno member Mohd Afnalizam Mohd Salim for the deputy president’s post.
The full list of candidates is scheduled to be announced tomorrow for the June 30 party polls.
This is the second time that Tengku Razaleigh is running for Umno president. He was defeated by Dr Mahathir Mohamad in 1987 which saw a serious split in the party.
He later formed and headed splinter party Semangat 46 before disbanding it and rejoining Umno in 1996.
A member of the Kelantan royalty, Tengku Razaleigh is also the Gua Musang Umno chief.
The 81-year-old has been MP since 1974 – representing Ulu Kelantan for the first three terms and Gua Musang for the last eight terms.
The source said despite the decision, there was no compulsion for delegates to vote in a certain way.
“We will not block anyone from supporting any individual who is contesting and will also not force anyone to support a candidate,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Gua Musang Umno deputy chief Norzula Mat Diah publicly expressed his preference for Khairy to head the party.
He said he acknowledged the leadership qualities of both Tengku Razaleigh and Zahid, but said there was an urgent need for Umno to be helmed by young blood.
“Tengku Razaleigh has a clean record and is not embroiled in any controversy while Zahid has his own advantage.
“However, if we opt for an old figure to lead us, people will think that Umno has not changed,” he said, adding that Khairy had the capability to take the party to greater heights with Annuar as his deputy.
Ku Li, Khairy, Zahid confirmed among candidates for Umno top post