Terengganu Umno rejects Razaleigh's offer
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 21, 2008

Veteran Umno leader Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s offer to take over the party presidency today received a massive blow when the party leadership in Terengganu refused to back him. MCPX

idris jusoh and terengganuTerengganu Umno state chief Idris Jusoh said that there was no need for a change of leadership in Umno as the present leaders were capable of helming the party and country.

“Let us wait for the Umno general assembly. I believe that with the confidence placed in the prime minister by his deputy Najib Abdul Razak, there will be no tussle for power in Umno," Idris told reporters after a function in Marang, Terengganu.

He said he believed that the next Umno general assembly - to be held in June - would endorse Abdullah's leadership.

He also said that Terengganu Umno would continue to back the prime minister.

Idris, the menteri besar before the state assembly was dissolved for the recently held general election, said that though the BN was only eight seats short of a two-thirds majority in the Parliament, the people nevertheless had given their mandate to the coalition and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"The cabinet line-up named by Pak Lah (Abdullah) is cohesive and he has laid out a good plan of action (to restore the people's confidence in BN) and I do not see why we need any change,” he said.

Calling for EGM 

umno 2007 tengku razaleigh ku li 081107Earlier this week, Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh said he was willing to take over the leadership of the party in order to heal the party in the face of its disastrous defeat in the polls.

"Haven't Umno members realised we've lost five states? Are they still sleeping?" asked the 71-year-old former finance minister.

His Gua Musang division would be holding a special meeting on April 4 to discuss the party and BN's showing in the general election.

Tengku Razaleigh, a Kelantan prince, is also calling for a special Umno general assembly on May 11, when the party celebrates its anniversary, to discuss Umno's showing in the recent polls.

Under the party's constitution, at least 50 per cent of Umno's divisions must agree to such an assembly before it can be called.

Idris’ own position to retain his menteri besar post is still unclear even though it has been 13 days since the election.

It is believed that while he enjoys the support of the BN state representatives, the Sultan of Terengganu is however rooting for another candidate.

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