Delegates attending tomorrow's Kubang Pasu Umno division meet have been advised not to vote for their former division head and party president Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The call was made by two Umno state liaison committee chairpersons.

Johor Umno liaison committee chairperson Abdul Ghani Othman and Kelantan Umno liaison committee chairperson Annuar Musa concurred that it would not be appropriate for Mahathir to be seated among the delegates at this November's general assembly after having held the reins of the party for over two decades.

They felt that Mahathir should continue to be regarded in high esteem by party members.

"Make the best decision this Saturday and I believe Kubang Pasu Umno members will place Tun Dr Mahathir in his present status," Abdul Ghani, who is also Johor menteri besar, was quoted as saying by Bernama.

Mahathir is among 17 candidates vying for the seven delegate spots up for grabs. The victors will represent the division at the party general assembly in Kuala Lumpur. The former premier's son Mukhriz is also in the race.

Meanwhile, Annuar said he was against the election of Mahathir as a Kubang Pasu Umno division delegate because, if the former president was elected, it would affect the morale of party members.

"I feel Umno members want to see Tun occupy a front seat as a distinguished guest at the general assembly and not as a delegate," he added.

Emotional final appeal

In a related development, Kubang Pasu Umno division head Mohd Johari Baharum made an emotional final appeal to Mahathir to withdraw his candidacy.

Johari said he sent a letter to the former party president urging him not to take part in the contest for it would not appropriate for him as a statesman.

"This is a final appeal before the divisional delegates meeting on Saturday. I humbly make this appeal to Tun," he said while fighting back tears.

Johari has been attacked by Mahathir for trying to block his attempt to be elected as a delegate.

Although the former prime minister was not barred from contesting, he said the division hoped that he would withdraw to "safeguard his image".

Mohd Johari said he had high regard for Mahathir who had headed the division for 30 years.

"We have not asked anything from Tun. We just want to appeal to Tun," he said.
Asked what if Mahathir ignored the appeal, Mohd Johari said: "It's his right. If he wants to contest, we will not stop him. But I'll be sad."