Being a good debater is just one of the many skills needed from a good Umno president, said the party’s Cheras division chief Syed Ali Alhabshee.

Following the Umno presidential debate last night, Malaysiakini pegged Khairy Jamaluddin as the better debater over Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Asked about this, Syed Ali said people with good oratory skills were a dime a dozen.

“If you go to Chow Kit road, everybody can speak well.

“We are not choosing someone who is only good at talking. We are choosing someone who can reform Umno, who can ensure Umno inspires the confidence of the rakyat again,” he told the press at the sidelines of the division’s polling centre today.

Without naming names, however, he said the debate had shown who was best suited to helm the party.

“Watching Astro Awani last night, we can see who was speaking the truth... the grassroots were able to judge for themselves who is the best candidate for the presidency,” he said.

Urban grassroots favour Ku Li, Tok Mat  

Meanwhile, a straw poll of Umno Cheras delegates found that they had the most confidence in party veteran Tengku Razaleigh to helm the party through the present trying times.  

For the deputy president post, delegates told Malaysiakini they preferred 'Tok Mat' - the moniker of former Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan – due to his reputation as a principled leader.

Umno Youth member Mohd Sholihien Ahmad (photo) said he was most confident in Ku Li’s abilities to restructure party.

“Khairy is still young and Zahid is part of the old leadership.

“A combination of Ku Li and Tok Mat will be able to make Umno rise again,” he said when approached.

Similarly, Umno Wanita delegate Rabiaton Hashim said she preferred Ku Li’s more measured approach to reforming the party.

“We can’t be too aggressive, we need someone who is calm. There is no need to rush.

“Khairy has potential but his time has not come. He is too young.

“Tok Mat is also a very calm and collected leader,” she said.

Septuagenarian Izham Hassan (photo) also told Malaysiakini that his pick would Ku Li and Tok Mat, describing the latter as a “clean man”.

“Ku Li is someone with rich experience, he will be able to match up against (prime minister) Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

“Plus, why did Zahid go and meet Mahathir? It looked like he wanted to sembah (worship) Mahathir,” he exclaimed, raising his hands in annoyance.

Earlier this month, Zahid had paid a “courtesy call” to the prime minister at his office in Putrajaya.

Mahathir claimed Zahid had sought his advice on how to run Umno, which the latter denied.