Dr Koh giving a speech during the Gerakan National Delegates’ conference in Kuala Lumpur today. — Bernama pic
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 - Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon says the future of Umno's leadership should be discussed with other Barisan Nasional component parties.
"The leadership of Umno is also the leadership of the country. I believe when things are clearer, the BN supreme council will meet and be briefed about the transition," he told reporters when quizzed about Kedah Gerakan Youth's recent statement on the matter.
He added that Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib had already said that it was a reasonable idea and request.
The former Penang chief minister added that it was not about interfering with a component party's internal affairs because "it is positive to have a better understanding and consensus as it it is also about the leadership of BN."
Although he stated that what was important now was for the party to attend to its party elections and then move forward, he was guarded when asked about the lack of candidates having declared their intentions ahead of the Oct 11 polls.
"I will not comment until after nomination because I don't know yet. But, internally, there is a lot of interest and leaders are indicating as much," he said.
"Why should we take the surprise out of Saturday?" he said of this weekend's nomination of candidates.
Koh also backed Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statement yesterday on the economy, saying that it is the country's main challenge at this point.
"Even though our fundamentals are strong, we have to be careful. So it is time for all citizens and political parties to reduce politicising of issues such as religion and race," he said, echoing the deputy prime minister's warning.
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