Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has given his strongest hint yet that he might run for the presidency in the June 30 party election.

"It is not 50/50 lah. If they (the grassroots) asked me to jump, then I will jump," he said at a press coherence today when pressed on his chances of running for the top post.

However, he admitted that age may work against him, and render him unfit to helm the party.

"If I was 18 years old, I would get married again. I am 81, I left cabinet in 1985.

"There are so many young and talented people, who are better educated and better exposed. We must allow these young people to lead," said the Gua Musang MP.

When asked about Dr Mahathir Mohamad leading the country at the age of 92, Tengku Razaleigh said the prime minister is an exception.

As for his own contest, he said he would assess the other presidential candidates’ ability to lead Umno before he makes his decision official.

"Be patient," he said, pointing out that he still has several days to make his decision before nomination closes on June 17.

It is believed that Tengku Razaleigh will announce his presidency at a post-general election forum tomorrow at Kelab Sultan Sulaiman, Kampung Baru.

Zahid and businessperson Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz have confirmed their decisions to run for the presidency. 

A group of youth leaders led by Federal Territories Umno Youth chief Razlan Rafii and Sembrong Umno Youth chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi met Tengku Razaleigh today.

So far, Tengku Razaleigh and the top post contenders have denied they are in the same alignment.

Razlan was seen together with ousted Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan and former second finance minister Johari Abdul Ghani at Umno headquarters submitting forms to contest in the party election, courting speculation they were in the same alignment.

Mohamad is going for the deputy president's post while Johari is vying for one of three vice-presidents' post.