Tengku Razaleigh Determined To Contest Umno Presidency

Gua Musang Umno chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah today said that the party's leadership transition plans will not deter him from contesting the presidency. It is therefore crystal clear that whatever the current hotshots at the apex of Umno may be planning, Ku Li is prepared to fight it out. How effective his challenge can be is of course debatable.

Some time ago it was announced that the transition of power in the Umno leadership would only be carried out after the party had completed compiling feedback and views from its members on the matter. No time frame had been set and party members were asked to be patient and not push for immediate changes.

On March 17 this year Tengku Razaleigh had made public his intent to challenge Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the presidency. He had offered himself to lead Umno to “heal the party”, which he described to be "in a bad way.”

While acknowledging that his advancing age might be used against him, the 71-year-old former Finance Minister, who held the Gua Musang parliamentary seat since 1969, expressed willingness to take up the challenge if he was given the opportunity.

"I still have ideas, I am still brave because I am independent and I don’t depend on anyone. If my service is still needed and my strength can still be used, I am offering myself to work for the rakyat," he had then said.

But now it looks like he has gone past the stage of offering his services if needed and is determined to go for the presidency despite the odds and over the objections of anyone.

As if Umno doesn't have enough on its hands with the threat of MPs defecting. If Ku Li sticks to his guns then be prepared for more confusion in Umno as the weeks go by. Perhaps even a battle royale.