Zahid, who is Umno vice-president, apart from carrying out the duties of party president, will be challenged by six individuals for the party’s number one post, including by Tengku Razaleigh and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.

“No matter… it’s only a proposal from him (Tengku Razaleigh),” Zahid told reporters when met at a special meeting and Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast organised by Pahang Umno at Dewan Tun Razak here today.

Also present at the closed-door event were Pahang Umno liaison chairman Adnan Yaakob, his deputy, Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin and the state Umno leadership line-up.

Others present were two deputy presidential candidates, Mohamad Hasan and Annuar Musa, four of the seven Umno vice-presidential candidates, namely Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Mahdzir Khalid, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Johari Abdul Ghani, as well as candidate for Wanita chief Noraini Ahmad.

In a television interview yesterday, Tengku Razaleigh, better known as Ku Li, had challenged Zahid and Khairy Jamaluddin to a debate, besides expressing his willingness to declare his assets before the June 30 Umno elections.

Ku Li was reported to have said that his bold action to make clarification on issues should be emulated by other candidates who wished to take over the post previously held by Najib Razak.

On the possibility of a split in Umno because of the increase in the number of contestants, Zahid hoped that would not happen although it had dawned on the party headquarters.

He also hoped delegates would make the best choice from the list of candidates contesting in the elections to lead Umno.

“The headquarters has arranged for candidates from all levels to go to the states to give them an opportunity to introduce themselves… This also allows them to know the delegates nationwide.

“Anyone (candidate) who is interested (to attend the meetings) can participate,” he said.

Zahid added that Pahang was his first destination in “campaigning”, followed by other states in the remaining 10 days before the elections.