Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is the undisputed champion of Pekan, having won the parliamentary constituency in Pahang for a record 10 times.
So instead of attempting to topple him now, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz called on Dr Mahathir Mohamad to take on Najib in the polls.
"I am not sure how much support Mahathir still enjoys, but if he think he's still strong, he can challenge Najib in the next general election," he told Sin Chew Daily .
Alternatively, Nazri said Mahathir and other Umno leaders opposed to Najib could also challenge him for the party presidency when the elections are held next year.
Similarly, he said if the people are disappointed with the prime minister's leadership, then they should vote him out in the next general election.
According to Nazri, it is not Umno's culture to change leadership before the tenure ends.
He said Najib's situation cannot be likened to that of his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who willingly stepped down.
"Nobody can force a leader to step down, Najib has stressed many times that he would stay on as he thinks he has done nothing wrong," he added.
Nazri said Mahathir, who kept harping on old issues such as 1 Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and Altantuya Shaariibuu's muder, should be ignored.
"Najib has explained these issues, why should we still worry what Mahathir thinks? Others can choose to accept it, that is their choice," he added.
Nazri also pointed out that it was Mahathir, in times of crisis, who told those in Umno that a ship needed a single captain.
"We are heeding his advice. Najib is the captain now, not Mahathir," he said.
The minister also dismissed the criticism of netizens against Najib with regard to 1MDB and the goods and services tax (GST).
"Netizens' view does not represent the view of the people in general. Who are they? People in general support the government.
"Many claimed we would lose in the 2013 general election, but we won," he added.
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