The 81-year-old Umno veteran also plans to study if there was a need to amend the party’s constitution so that the party would be stronger and be able to fight for the Malays more effectively.
“The way we move now does not allow us to act properly and effectively. A division has hundreds of branches, if in Sabah, there would be 400 to 500 branches… some branches were started merely to fight for positions in the division.
“There are many things which were started just for money… because people want contracts and sub-contracts. That is not the basis of our struggle, we have to look at all that,” he said in the question-and-answer session at a gathering with Federal Territory Umno leaders and representatives held at his home here today.
Other than Tengku Razaleigh, Youth head Khairy Jamaluddin, acting president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Bandar Tun Razak Umno division member Mohamed Iqbal Maricair and Iskandar Puteri Umno division member Mohd Yusof Musa@Jamaluddin, have been confirmed as candidates for the top post.
Tengku Razaleigh, who was former finance minister from 1976 until 1984, said he would look at reviving the economy and standard of living of the people which he said was not on par with national development.
“What is important is for us to prioritise the economy. We do not want people to struggle, to eke out a living. We should not go back to the economy of yesteryears. Today, the people’s income is high, but the price of goods is also high,” he said.
The Gua Musang Umno division chief also said he accepted reports that Kelantan Umno did not support his nomination as party president.
He said these voices would revive democracy within the party.
“Previously, we were shy and afraid to voice our opinions because they were blocked by our leadership. We must be honest. True, there are Kelantan Umno leaders who are not supporting me, but we have not heard from the other members,” he said.
In a separate development, Tengku Razaleigh said no specific topic has been set for the Umno presidential debate scheduled at 9.30pm on June 29 on Astro Awani.
So far, only Khairy has agreed to participate in the programme.
On Ahmad Zahid’s refusal to join the programme, Tengku Razaleigh said: “If he is free, he should come”.