KUALA LUMPUR, March 17 — Former Elected Representatives Council (Mubarak) today encouraged other senior politicians to follow Tan Sri Shahrir Samad’s footsteps in stepping down and making way for younger leaders.
Mubarak president Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Rahman said he welcomed the 66-year-old Johor Baru MP’s decision not to contest in the next general election.
“I hope other veterans will voluntarily step aside for new faces. Tan Sri Shahrir, my friend, has been there in Johor for years and for many terms,” he said at a press conference after signing a declaration with 42 non-governmental organisations to express support for Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“So when the time is right, make way for younger leaders,” he added.
Shahrir, who is also the chief of Barisan Nasional Backbenchers (BNBBC), yesterday said he will not defend his seat in the next general election as he wanted more young people to be involved in politics.
“I cannot be like Lim Kit Siang, go on and on. I think I have a track record that my former press secretary is now the Johor mentri besar and there is a chance for me to allow another young personality to take over,” Shahrir told reporters outside the Parliament lobby
