PETALING JAYA: Three-term Besut MP Idris Jusoh, a former menteri besar of Terengganu, will not be contesting the general election.
In a statement today, Idris said he wanted to give way to younger candidates in line with Umno’s desire to rejuvenate the party.
“With a younger leadership lineup, I am confident that Umno will be more energetic and popular,” he said.
He said he had wanted to step back from politics before the 2013 general election but was persuaded by the party’s leadership to reconsider.
Idris, 67, was elected MP for Besut in 1995, 2013 and 2018. He was menteri besar of Terengganu from 2004 to 2008 when Barisan Nasional (BN) regained power in the state from PAS.
At centre of MB crisis in 2008
Idris, who was state assemblyman for Jerteh for two terms, was at the centre of a political crisis after the 2008 general election when he was passed over for appointment as menteri besar again.
However, the Sultan of Terengganu’s office announced the appointment of Kijal assemblyman Ahmad Said instead, leading to a stand-off with then BN chairman Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who had nominated Idris.
BN had won 24 seats in the state assembly and Idris received the support of 22 assembly members, who threatened to take a confidence vote against Ahmad in the state assembly.
The crisis was averted after discussions between Abdullah and the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, led to BN withdrawing their objections to Ahmad’s appointment.
Since 2008, Idris has also served as a minister of education and minister of higher education in the Najib Razak government, and was Mara chairman from 2008 to 2013.
He has been chairman of Felda since May 2020. - FMT
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