Former Terengganu MB Idris not contesting in GE15

PETALING JAYA: Long-serving Besut MP and Umno member Tan Sri Idris Jusoh (pic) has announced that he will not be competing in the upcoming 15th General Elections (GE15).

The former Terengganu mentri besar said his decision to step down was to give the party’s younger candidates an opportunity to compete which he believed would rejuvenate the party while being more popular among the voters.

“With a younger leadership, I am confident that the future of Umno will be more energetic and loved by the voters,” he said.

Idris added that he had wanted to step down earlier in 2013 during the 13th General Election, but later decided not to after discussing it with the Umno’s leadership.

“At that time, I had expressed my desire to step down to the president, vice-president and the Umno supreme council.

“However, by the will of the party, I decided to continue my service instead for the sake of my party and country,” the five-term serving Besut MP said.

Idris has served as Besut MP for five terms and made a name for himself in politics after he led Barisan Nasional’s Terengganu division to overthrow PAS in the 11th General Election and became the state’s mentri besar from 2004 to 2008.