INTERVIEW | Umno presidential candidate Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has admitted that he may lose to another contender, Khairy Jamaluddin, in their televised debate tonight.

This is because he is a novice debater despite having been in politics for over six decades, said the veteran politician, fondly known as Ku Li.

"He (Khairy) may win there. I am a novice," the eight-term Gua Musang MP told Malaysiakini in an interview at his residence yesterday.

The debate between the 81-year-old and Khairy, 42, will be aired live on Astro Awani tonight. The third contender for the position, Umno acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is expected to join the debate from his home base at Bagan Datuk.

Besides coming up with views to reform and revive Umno, the candidates will also field questions from netizens and party members.

When asked on topics he plans to raise during the debate, Razaleigh said it would depend on the questions asked.

"I don't know, we will see what questions are being raised," he said.

Ku Li 'shocked' by KJ's 11th-hour participation

It is believed that Razaleigh is eyeing the support from the party's young and urban delegates, via the debate. While Khairy is looking to rejuvenate the party with support from the younger generation, Zahid, a grassroots man, is said to enjoy the support of division leaders nationwide.

Razaleigh said that he was shocked by Khairy (photo) joining the presidential race at the eleventh hour, as the latter was among those who had come to ask him to run for the party's top post.

"All of us were shocked, because he came here together with other leaders before Hari Raya, and asked me to offer myself when I had no intention to contest," he recalled.

Razaleigh also noted how at that function, he had said that Umno should be led by a young 'energetic' leader.

"I told him to contest because we want the young to lead. Not only me, many others spoke the same thing."

Khairy, however, declined because he felt he lacked the ability to lead the party, according to Razaleigh.

"I harbour no bad intention on him (Khairy). That (contesting) is his right, if he wants to join the race, so be it," he shrugged, adding that he would support anyone who wins the party election.

'I will retire if I lose'

Razaleigh said he will retire if he loses in the June 30 party election, and will not resort to forming a new political party, as he did with forming Parti Semangat 46 back in 1988.

He did not elaborate whether the retirement plan is only from Umno, or from politics altogether.

"Parti Semangat 46 was formed because its leaders were not allowed to join the new Umno then. It was not meant to fight anyone," he said.

It was upon the advice of former premier Tunku Abdul Rahman that the new party was formed, he recalled.

Razaleigh had challenged then Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad for the top post in 1987 but was defeated by a majority of 43 votes.

According to Razaleigh, current contenders for the post, Zahid and Khairy, cannot compare with Mahathir, who he said flexed his muscle to remain in power.

"The person I contested against many years ago (Mahathir) is a 'bapak gergasi' (giant). He ruled with an iron fist. He has full power in the government and would not hesitate to use his power, which is evident in no one remaining permanently under him or with him.

"Mahathir is different, (one) cannot compare with them (Zahid and Khairy)," he noted.

"I was younger (back in 1987). But now, I am old, the advantage is towards the young, which is good. This is the world of the young. But, I got a young team to help back me," he said.

Razaleigh is said to have commanded the majority support in Johor, the Federal Territories, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan during his campaign in the past weeks.

He said the response from the grassroots was good.

"I got (good) response from the grassroots wherever I visited. Some were extraordinary, some received me warmly. No places I visited let me down.

"However, the division leaders were not there. I don't know if they have (some sort of) illness," he laughed.

"I was told the grassroots came because they wanted to hear (me out). There were some who I met for the first time because of the locality and age difference, as well as because I remained inactive (for a long time)," he said.

He felt his approach was effective because many wanted Umno to be revived.

He said the grassroots members who previously chose the leadership according to the instructions of the division chiefs, will make their own decisions this time around.

He, however, said he was unsure if he would secure enough support to win the race.

A total of 165,000 Umno delegates from 191 divisions will cast their ballots tomorrow to choose the division leadership and central leadership.