Tengku Razaleigh to contest Umno presidency (Updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah will take on acting Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for the party's top post in polls to be held on June 30.
The Gua Musang Umno division chief confirmed his intention to contest at a press conference at his residence in Jalan Langgak Golf here.
Another contender for the post is Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz, who is a businessman and blogger.
Tengku Razaleigh who is also Gua Musang MP said he made the decision after much deliberation on Umno's current status and the implications of its leadership.
"I am making this decision in the interest of Umno as a national political organisation, which carries the national desire of racial unity and harmony as the core of the country.
"As a party that is rich in experience, I am confident that I can lead Umno to continue that tradition," he said.
The veteran politician stressed that there will be no division within the party and members should be prepared to accept the outcome of the election.
"I want to make sure Umno can play its role as a loyal and responsible opposition to the country which is progressing to a developed nation," he said.
Tengku Razaleigh said regardless of the challenges, he will continue to protect grassroots and Malay rights while respecting the muti-racial heritage to ensure racial harmony is always preserved.
"We will continue to encourage and preserve this liberal nature to ensure Malaysia is respected as a model for racial harmony," he said.
Tengku Razaleigh also stressed that Umno is sensitive to the political realities after the 14th general election (GE14) and will adapt itself to remain relevant.
"This means Umno under my leadership will undergo adjustment and changes if deemed necessary," he said.
Noting the political maturity of Malaysians, Tengku Razaleigh said both Malaysia and Umno needs politically matured leaders.
"As an active politics practitioner since becoming an Umno member in 1962, it is not an exaggeration if I say that I understand very well the political intricacies within the party and at the national level.
"To me this is the only test if anyone wants to offer themselves for the duties of a leader," he said.
Responding to reporters on his team of leaders, Tengku Razaleigh said there is no president's men in the party as all are one in Umno.
"I won't pick any team of leaders to align themselves with me to become vice-president. Everyone is an Umno team player," he said.
He also said that being a Barisan Nasional component, he will work on solidifying the components for a stronger future relationship.
When asked about cooperation with PAS, Tengku Razaleigh said he will cross that bridge when he comes to it in the future.
The nominations for the party polls closes tomorrow (June 17) with some 150,000 delegates casting their votes to determine a leadership that will reform the party after its defeat in GE14.
The party polls on June 30 will be the first in almost three years after Umno obtained extensions of its election deadline.
Also present were vice-presidential candidate Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin and incumbent Federal Territories Umno youth chief and supreme council candidate Mohamad Razlan Rafii.