KUALA LUMPUR, June 6 — Businessman, blogger and political analyst Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz has thrown his hat into the Umno presidential contest ring today, promising to bring “new breath and energy” to the nationalist party.
Rahmat, known on Twitter as @MatUMNO, submitted his application form to Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor today, a copy of which was forwarded to Malay Mail.
“I think that Umno needs new breath and energy to keep moving forward. The failure of past leaders must be taken into account to ensure Umno’s future survival,” he said in an attached statement.
The 46-year-old is a member of the Kota Raja division and Putra Height branch.
He thanked previous Umno leaders for their contributions, and urged other party leaders who have yet to resign from their party posts to do so.
“I am confident, and I know that Umno still has many young leaders with calibre, who are clean, sincere and hardworking,” he said.
“So I urge them to be brave and step forward, and together with me lead an Umno that will be reborn with new spirit and strength.”
So far, acting president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has confirmed his intention to formally be elected to the post.
Other names offered as potential president candidates are Gua Musang MP Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad recently “endorsed” current Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin for the post.
