His call comes just after former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin asked for party polls to be held before GE15 so as to resolve the so-called “internal chaos” in the party.

In a Facebook post, Annuar said many had asked who would be fielded as PM and DPM. This led him to think that Umno was still relevant and enjoyed the support of the people.

The Ketereh MP, who is seen to be PPBM-friendly, said Umno grassroots can decide at the party polls who should be PM.

“Our party constitution states that office bearers have a three-year tenure. The last polls were held on June 30, 2018 and the tenure for those selected ends this June.

“As a party that follows the rules and relies on the voices of the grassroots, we should not hesitate to return the mandate to the grassroots to decide on the future leaders of the party.

“God willing, the PM and DPM candidates from Umno will be decided in June by party members,” he said.

“The party should pick a president and his deputy who has all the qualities suitable to hold the PM and DPM posts when the time comes.”

At the recent Umno general assembly, party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi indirectly attacked Annuar, describing him as a pest, and challenged him to resign his Cabinet post.

While not naming him directly, Zahid referred to Annuar by describing him as “a minister who’s not on stage but who has stabbed Umno in the back”.