KHAIRY JAMALUDDIN ACCEPTS KU LI’S DEBATE CHALLENGE
Zahid declines to comment on call for debate among Umno party president hopefuls
ACTING Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has declined to comment on Gua Musang Umno chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s call for a presidential debate before the June 30 party election.
“It’s all right... That is only his (Tengku Razaleigh’s) suggestion,” Zahid said after a closeddoor meeting and Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised by the state Umno at Dewan Tun Razak here yesterday.
On Tuesday, during an interview with Astro Awani, Tengku Razaleigh had challenged Zahid and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who are the main contenders for the party president post, to a debate.
Tengku Razaleigh, who is known as Ku Li, said he was prepared to declare his assets.
Asked about the possibility of a split in Umno due to the large number of candidates vying for the party’s top post and other positions, Zahid said: “We want to avoid a split within the party.
“That is the reason why anyone contesting the party polls is welcome to join this programme (yesterday).
“It is to allow them to get close to the members and introduce themselves.
“Anyone can contest, but we want to emphasise that members should pick the best candidates.
“We have about 10 days before the polls.
“Pahang is the first destination (for the programme). The nationwide tour ends on June 29.”
Present were candidates for the party’s deputy president post, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Tan Sri Annuar Musa, and four of the seven candidates for the three vice-president posts — Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.