KUALA LUMPUR - THREE politicians have qualified to contest the No. 2 post in Malaysia's ruling party - a key job that has usually been filled by unanimous nomination and never in a three-cornered fight.
During monthlong party caucuses that ended on Sunday, an unprecedented three candidates secured enough nominations to contest the deputy leader's post of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party on Mar 26, 2009.
The winner will also become Malaysia's deputy prime minister. The intense fight expected for the post indicates growing factionalism in Umno, a party once seen as a unified monolithic power centre that has run the government since 1957.
The favourite to win is Trade Minister Muhyiddin Yassin who will be challenged by Rural Development Minister Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Malacca state chief minister Mohamad Ali Rustam.
Mr Mohamad Mustafa Ishak, a political analyst at North Malaysia University, said on Monday the fact that Mr Muhyiddin's two challengers received enough nominations shows that party members are no longer willing to simply endorse a candidate that top leaders have chosen.
'Given the current scenario, it shows that democracy is alive and kicking in Umno. ... Clearly now it's the grass roots that determine' who is a good candidate, he said.
Mr Muhyiddin won more than 90 nominations from the party's 191 districts, far higher than the required 38. But Mr Mohamad Ali and Mr Muhammad also collected more than 40 nominations each.
In most past elections, the post was filled either unanimously or sometimes in two-cornered contests.
Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has announced he will not defend his position in the March elections, told reporters on Sunday that a three-cornered fight was good for the party even though it may lead to factions. He called on party members to unite after the elections.
'I hope it will not lead to a split in the party,' he said.
Umno is the central pillar of the 13-party National Front coalition but holds most Cabinet posts and virtually all political power. -- AP
