KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Umno supreme council member Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said yesterday that Umno leaders of the "Razak generation" should refrain from contesting the top posts in Umno elections.

After attending a Hari Raya gathering organised by the Intellectual Property Corporation of Malaysia, he said those over 55 should step aside and let the younger generation fill the top posts.

"If Umno keeps the old leaders, it will start to look like on outdated party. It is better to give a chance to the younger generation of leaders. The quicker they are given a chance, the better."

Shahrir, 59, is contesting a seat in the supreme council.

He said the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi not to contest signalled the end of leadership of the "Razak generation".

"This generational shift has to be reflected in Umno. I am from the older generation. Except for the posts of deputy president and above, I will not support those from the older generation (for the vice-president posts)."

He added that a change to a younger set of leaders could help Umno regain support from the younger voters.

"If we want to talk about the future, we may have a lot of experience under our belt, but we may not have an inkling of what the younger people want."