Ku Li: Umno needs to groom its young leaders

The Umno presidential candidate says he is only a stop-gap measure.

Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says there is a dearth of young leaders in Umno. (Bernama pic)

BUTTERWORTH: Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah says the party needs to groom their young leaders to enable them to take over.

The Umno presidential candidate, who is more popularly known as Ku Li, said more participation from the younger generation was needed to provide continuity to the party.

“As it is, we do not have leaders. Look at Perak, Negri Sembilan and Johor.

“Even recently, to look for someone to be a menteri besar in Pahang, was also so difficult. The former MB wanted to step down but there was no credible person.

“We are really short of people. There are insufficient numbers to take over the party leadership, whether at state level or national level,” he said after a meeting with Penang Umno delegates in Seberang Jaya, near here, today.

The party stalwart said the young should be sharpened and groomed to be future leaders, without any conditions or restrictions, so that they can continue the party’s struggle.

The 81-year-old parliamentarian was also of the view that the older leaders should give way to young ones, and not necessarily just to meet a quota.

He also urged party veterans to not overstay their welcome, and to make way for a new breed of young leaders.

Tengku Razaleigh said that he will only hold the Umno presidency for a single term if elected, and would then pave the way for someone else to continue the party struggle.

“I am no substitute as I am old. I am only a stop gap measure. We need to groom (the leaders) quickly so they can take over,” he said.

The battle for the Umno presidency will see the Gua Musang MP going up against, among others, Khairy Jamaluddin and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Party elections are set to take place this Saturday.

It will be the second time Tengku Razaleigh is contesting the presidency, having done so in 1987 against the then Umno president and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

To a question on whether he had the support of the youths, who might be inclined to vote for Khairy, Tengku Razaleigh replied in the affirmative.

“I am told I have support even from the youths. They are from Kelantan. Some of those who support me are from Khairy’s group.

“This is a visible sign people want change,” he said.

On his perceptions towards Khairy, who has been accused of backstabbing former Umno president Najib Razak, Tengku Razaleigh said the past should remain in the past.

“That is what I heard from blogs, that Najib feels very hurt with what Khairy has said. He never thought that Khairy will backstab him.

“It is not for me to comment, because he may have his reasons. I do not think we should kill anybody within our party. Let the past be the past.

“In the case of Najib’s situation, let the law take its course. Why should we add salt to injury?” he added. - FMT