KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need for aspirants wanting to run in the Umno party elections next March to form any team, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday. Instead, he said, the newly-elected leaders must be prepared to work with one another for the good of the party.

He also cautioned the aspirants not to be carried away by the US presidential election where the candidates were required to have a running mate.

"This is not the United States. There is no need for a team.

"If we win, our team wins. To cooperate with those contesting against us will be difficult.

"We can contest whatever posts and we should be able to cooperate with whoever wins," Dr Mahathir said at a Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at his residence in Seri Kembangan near here.

He also welcomed the decision of a number of senior party members who made known their intention to vie for the deputy president's post, following anticipation that the incumbent, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, will go for the Umno president's post.

"That's good, as long as you don't play dirty. Don't bribe.

"We should show our ability. God-willing, the people will choose us.

"But if you use pressure or resort to arm-twisting, then it is not democracy."

On his plan to rejoin Umno, Dr Mahathir said he had not made any decision on which branch that he would join.

He said several party members who followed him in leaving the party on May 1 should be allowed to rejoin the party, too. -- Bernama