ALOR STAR: Gua Musang Member of Parliament Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said quitting Umno is not the way to revive the party's fortunes.

He said he would not join Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's in resigning because "there are many ways to improve Umno's image".

"Dr Mahathir has made up his mind and I have my own stand on the matter.

"I am an Umno member and I will remain one and will contest for the party president's post in December," he said when asked about the former prime minister's decision to resign in protest against party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's refusal to step down after the March 8 general election.

At the talk organised by the Kedah Malay Assembly Hall, Dr Mahathir also asked Umno members at all levels to follow in his footsteps.
Tengku Razaleigh said: "Dr Mahathir must have thought it out before announcing his decision.

"It would shock the nation but must also be seen as a wake-up call for Umno members."

He said some would heed Dr Mahathir's call as the former prime minister was influential.