Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's retirement in October is expected to pave the way for his foe-turned-ally Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to return to active politics.

There is talk among Umno members that the former vice-president can help boost the party's chances of recapturing Kelantan from PAS.

"Considering not many cabinet members are qualified to assume the post of finance minister, he would be a great asset to would-be premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi," said a party source today.