Mustapa urged to run for Umno president

Several youth groups from Kelantan have come forward to urge state BN chief Mustapa Mohamed to contest for either Umno president or deputy president in the party’s upcoming polls.

Muhammad Rudin Siru, the spokesperson for the group, believes that Mustapa – who is the former international trade and industry minister – is the right candidate to steer Umno away from "elites" and bring it closer to the people on the ground.

“Umno needs to return to the people, and not be led by the elite and bangsawan(nobility),” he said, after meeting Mustapa at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Kota Bharu yesterday.

Also present at the meeting were about 50 youths from a number of youth groups, students, and Kelantan Umno grassroots members.

If Mustapa takes up the call and contests the presidency, he will be going against former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Restoring confidence in Umno

Rudin insisted that Mustapa is a leader with integrity who can restore the confidence of the people in Umno after its unprecedented defeat in the May 9 polls.

“Through our observation, Mustapa is consistent in everything he does, besides maintaining a clean image, free of any political controversy.

“Besides his authority and credibility in helping the country’s economic development, it is apparent that is a political leader who is respected by friend and foe alike,” he said.

Rudin also proffered the names of a few other Umno leaders who he believes can work with Mustapa to revive Umno’s fortunes.

These include former menteris besar Mohamad Hasan, Zambry Abdul Kadir, and Mohamed Khaled Nordin, as well as former minister Idris Jusoh.

The spokesperson also stressed that it is time for Umno to “get real” after their disastrous polls showing.

“Now it is time for us to get real. Being able to rustle up 100 or 200 people for small gatherings is no longer a sign of the party’s strength.” -Mkini