Umno must be ready for the day when its political rival Pakatan Rakyat no longer has any "dinosaurs" in its midst, Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir has warned party members.

NONE Referring to seasoned politicians still active in the opposition coalition, Mukhriz said this in justifying why new blood must be elected in the coming party election, in line with his slogan "Berani Ubah" (Dare to Change), which he used when contesting for the Umno Youth chief post in 2008.

He said it was time for Umno to look forward and prepare itself, as the party's rivals were already preparing for the 14th general election, slated to be held by July 2018.

"At that time, maybe there will  be no more AI in the political scenario. There may not be anymore LKS, NA, KS or Haji H," he said, refraining from uttering the full names of his political opponents.

Mukhriz was clearly referring to Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim (AI), DAP's Lim Kit Siang (LKS) and Karpal Singh (KS), as well as PAS' Nik Aziz Nik Mat (NA) and Abdul Hadi Awang (Haji H).

Important questions members must ask

"Umno will be facing many leaders who are new, who have been given posts and responsibilities at party and state government levels.

"But on our side, what is our preparation? Have we made preparations and strategic planning to continue to rule the country?

"Are we prepared to garner the votes of three million new voters in our midst come that time?" he asked.

Mukhriz said these were important questions Umno members must ask before jointly deciding who to help and who to choose to helm the party.

He was speaking after a ceremony at his official residence in Mentaloon in Kedah, yesterday to announce his candidacy for the Umno vice-presidency.

The 49-year-old son of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad i joining five others - Hishamuddin Hussein, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Shafie Apdal, Ali Rustam and Isa Samad in the battle for the three vice-presidental posts.

‘Change, or be changed'

During the event, he also threw his full support behind Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin as the "best team" to head the party.

At the press conference that followed his formal announcement, Mukhriz again warned that the party must "change, or be changed".

mahathir perdana global peace pc 080107 mukhriz On continuing his father's legacy, which may be construed as promoting the same kind of family dynasty existing in Pakatan parties, Mukhriz said he was not in Umno to do that.

He said he had always been interested in politics but had been prevented from  jumping in by his father, who had been in power from 1982 to 2003.

"If he (Mahathir) wanted to build a dynasty, he would have done it when he was prime minister.

"He would have exposed my brother Mokhzani or me and got us involved in the party or government, but he did not do it," he added.

Mukhriz said his surname may have attracted some attention as his father had served the country for many years and still enjoys the support of many.

However,  he added that  there already are Umno members and people outside the party who recognise his own value and capacity.

"But I feel thrilled that I can extend my father's struggles," he  said.

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