Who's Umno's choice to be PM? 'Me', jokes deputy president Tok Mat

Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. -Photo: FAIHAN GHANI / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: The prime minister's post is for Umno and deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that he is the party's candidate for the job.

Asked who would be Umno's choice at a press conference after opening the meetings of the party's Wanita, Puteri and Youth wings on Saturday (March 27), he said; "You are looking at him."

However, Mohamad quickly qualified that he was joking.

“Whoever becomes our candidate for the post, it is up to the party. I’ve said it before, that these sorts of decisions will be made by the party. It is the party’s decision," said the Rantau assemblyman.

Mohamad said Umno needs to put its house in order first, noting that there are hidden enemies everywhere.

"We cannot have anything holding us back. How can we shift gears if our foot is stuck on the pedal," he said.

He assured that even Umno is the leader, the welfare of people of all races will be taken care of.

"We won't only take care of the Malays but everyone. We cannot play favourites," he said.

Separately, Mohamad said Umno aims to win at least 80 seats in the next general election.

He also said discussions on seat allocation with its Muafakat Nasional ally Pas are still being discussed.

On Umno's relations with Pas, Mohamad said the party hopes to retain their collaboration.

Mohamad said he will also be going to various states after the general assembly to assess the level of preparedness of each Umno division to face the election.

"We are very much ready (for it) but we don't want to take things for granted and I want to see their preparedness for myself," he said.