Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz said he was ready to step aside and let a new candidate stand in his constituency in the coming general election (GE).

The Padang Rengas member of parliament regards the 13th GE as an opportune time to ensure through the new generation, a leadership continuity in Umno.

"I leave the matter to the prime minister but I have served as minister for 13 years, as deputy minister for five years, and I am already 58 years old," he told reporters after simultaneously opening the annual general meeting of the Umno branches in the Alor Gajah division today.

Mohamed Nazri said he had for long been contemplating on making way for a new face including expressing his wish to the Padang Rengas Umno division, which still nominated him for the seat.

He was asked to comment on the view expressed by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad that Umno should consider giving more opportunities to professionals to be candidates in the coming general election.

Meanwhile, he said Umno and BN could no longer depend on the old political system and must change with the times.

- Bernama