SHAH ALAM: Umno delegates nationwide should consider the suggestion to elect Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah as the party's president at the upcoming Umno election.
Former Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib said the Gua Musang parliamentarian was seen as the best candidate to help Umno members regain their strength and motivation after losing in the 14th General Election (GE14).
"If you ask me is it wise for Ku Li (Tengku Razaleigh) to contest for the president's post, I will say yess. Ku Li has the capabilities as well possessing a good administration record to lead Umno, apart from being a figure respected by friends and foe alike.
"If the president post is contested, I hope delegates will throw their support (for Ku Li). However, it is up to the delegates' wisdom to decide," Muhammad or Mat Taib as he is more commonly known as, told NSTP here, today.
Muhammad however denied that Umno was suffering from a lack of younger leaders in putting forth the suggestion for Tengku Razaleigh to be made party president.
On the contrary, Muhammad said the former Finance Minister was the best candidate to stabilise the Umno 'ship' that had been wrecked by a 'tsunami'.
"Maybe Ku Li can lead Umno temporarily before passing the baton to another leader when things are better," Muhammad said, pointing out that the issue of a lack of leaders did not arise as other parties were also being led by the same faces.
Tengku Razaleigh had served as Finance Minister under Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn, following the passing of Tun Abdul Razak in 1976.
Apart from that, he was also appointed as the chairman of the Islamic Development Bank in 1978.