Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today the time has come for him to hand over to a new leader the post of Gua Musang Umno division chief that he has held for almost 50 years.

He also said that he had decided to forgo contesting in the next general election to enable a younger leader to take over.

The 13th general election last May was the last general election for him, he said, adding that he would continue to serve his constituents until a successor was found.

“It is up to the members of the Umno division to decide on the leader who is most qualified (successor) because there are many eligible individuals,” he told reporters after a Gua Musang Barisan Nasional (BN) election victory thanksgiving reception with the Orang Asli in Kampung Lambok in Gua Musang.

Asked whether he would contest a post in the Umno elections in October, Tengku Razaleigh declined comment.

“I do not wish to comment. Let’s see on Sept 28 (nomination for Umno supreme council posts) whether to contest or not,” he said.

He pointed out that the new party rules provided for anyone to contest any post in the party, and said that could be decided on nomination day on Sept 28.

- Bernama