Johor Tebrau Umno chief Maulizan Bujang has called on acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to withdraw from contesting the top post in the upcoming party election.
Maulizan said this was to make way for Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, whom he said was the best person to take on Pakatan Harapan and its leaders, Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim.
"Tengku Razaleigh, in principle, is willing to take on the responsibility to help with the recovery of Umno.
"But it would be good if Zahid can be magnanimous by making way to him and other leaders... so that Umno can be seen as changing," he told Malaysiakini.
According to Maulizan, Zahid should emulate the example of Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein who announced that he would not contest in the upcoming election.
To date, Zahid is the only serious candidate for Umno president.
Half of Johor Umno backing Ku Li
Maulizan (photo) said he had earlier today met with Tengku Razaleigh to convince him to take on Zahid.
He added that at least half of the 26 Umno divisions in Johor have also had various meetings with the party veteran to convince him to take up the challenge.
"All those present want Ku Li to offer himself as Umno president in the June 30 election," he said.
Maulizan stressed that he was not ignoring Zahid's past contributions, but said that Umno needed someone who could truly inspire confidence to restore the party and regain support.
"Personally, I share the opinion of my peers, the majority of Umno members and the public who want Umno to choose a leader who can compete with Mahathir, Anwar and other Harapan leaders.
"Choosing the wrong leader will delay Umno's recovery process, and could even further weaken it," he said. -Mkini
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