Ali Rustam confirms contesting in Umno election

Umno supreme council member Mohd Ali Rustam today confirmed that he would be contesting in the party election in October.
However, he had yet to decide on the post to contest.

"I have to get the views from the grassroots. Besides Bandar Tun Razak, there are also other divisions which have expressed their support, but I have to get feedback from the grassroots on the post that I should contest for," he said, adding that the closing date for candidates to submit their names was Sept 7.

The former Malacca chief minister said the strong show of support for him to contest was among the reason for him to want to continue to contribute for the party and society.

Another reason, he said, was to further the Malay and bumiputera cause.

"What's the use of being in politics if it is not for the Malays, Islam and the interest of other people.

"If we are not in the party, not going through the process of political democracy, how are we going to defend our rights," he told reporters after presenting Ramadan gifts to 500 people, including orphans and senior citizens in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mohd Ali, 63, was elected Umno vice-president in 2004, but was not allowed to contest for the deputy president post in 2009 after he was found to have violated the party election regulations.

- Bernama