He has been head of the division since the 1980s, and was a former MP for Johor Bahru.

Shahrir, who turns 74 on Nov 22 this year, said he felt it was the right time to step down and make room for a new leader.

“This allows me to be ‘Shahrir’ again. Whether I will still be active on social media (as Tok Uban on Facebook), I’m not sure yet,” he told reporters, Bernama reported.

“Future leaders should be given the responsibility from now to start Umno’s preparations for both the Johor state elections and the 16th general election,” he said after attending a special meeting of the Johor Umno liaison committee.

The Star reported that he said it was a good time for him to retire from politics. “I feel this is the right time for me as I am already in my 70s and there are good future leaders within the division and central party leadership,” he was quoted as saying.

He said his decision had nothing to do with his acquittal of money laundering charges last month. He had been accused of failing to declare RM1 million, received in a cheque from Najib Razak, to the Inland Revenue Board (LHDN).

In a separate statement, Shahrir, who is also Umno election committee chairman, called for healthy campaigning in the 2023 Umno elections. Any complaints of election misconduct should be reported to the disciplinary board immediately, he said.

Elections to Umno’s divisional committees and for seats in the Umno Supreme Council will be held simultaneously across the country on March 18.