Umno bigwigs eye three vice-president posts as internal elections begin

The three vice-president posts will be the highest up for grabs after a “no contest” motion for the top two posts. PHOTO: THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

PETALING JAYA - The Umno party elections to pick its new office-bearers involving 22,000 branches and 191 divisions across Malaysia have begun in stages and will go on until March 18, with all eyes on the crowded vice-presidency race.

The three vice-president posts will be the highest up for grabs after a “no contest” motion for the top two posts – the president and deputy president – was passed at its annual general assembly last month, meaning Zahid Hamidi and his No. 2 Mohamad Hasan can stay in their posts.

Umno election committee chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said those interested in the vice-presidency can file their papers on March 3.

Party vice-president Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin has confirmed that he will defend his post while his counterpart and former minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid has remained tight-lipped.

Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob might not defend his post in the coming party polls.

The former prime minister and Bera MP said he is considering making way for the younger generation of leaders, Malaysian daily Sinar Harian reported on Saturday.

“If there are new faces who are ready to bring back Umno’s strength, I’m ready to give way for them. I want to see the list of candidates, manifestos, and reforms to the party. If someone can bring something better than what I have, I’m ready to give them a chance,” he was quoted as saying.

Several other Umno bigwigs are expected to join Mr Khaled in the race – they include Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir and Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, all ministers in the current federal government, and Titiwangsa MP Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

Others said to be eyeing the party’s third-ranked posts are former Johor chief minister Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad and Sabah Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.

The annual delegates meeting and contest for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings at the branch level are taking place for 26 days from Feb 1 to 26.

This will be followed by the elections for the three wings, which will be held simultaneously on March 11.

Polls for the Umno supreme council members (25 positions) at the division level will take place simultaneously on March 18 nationwide.

Talk is rife that there is a movement within the women’s wing Wanita to bring back its former head Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to compete for its top post. Dr Noraini Ahmad, a minister during the previous Ismail Sabri administration, is the incumbent chief.

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Armand Azha Abu Hanifah has expressed interest in going for the Umno Youth chief post.

Incumbent Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said during the party’s general assembly last month that he will not defend his post.

Former Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s son, Datuk Mohd Nazifuddin, has offered to contest the deputy youth chief post.

International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz has announced that he will enter the fray for a spot on the supreme council.

Last week, the former banker was reportedly appointed a Kota Raja division committee member amid growing speculation that Umno will field him as its candidate there for the Selangor state election due this year.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan reiterated that the passing of a no-contest motion for the top two posts during the recent 2022 Umno general assembly did not breach the party’s constitution or rules.

“Everything went smoothly. About 90 per cent of the delegates agreed that the president and deputy president posts would not be contested.

“There have been many times in Umno’s 77-year history that the positions have not been contested,” he said in an online post.

However, Terengganu Umno member Aizat Fikri Nasir, who lodged a report with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) over the no-contest motion, disputed Datuk Seri Ahmad’s statement, saying that he had received a letter from the ROS dated Jan 26 stating that it was still in the midst of checking and investigating his complaint.

He urged the party secretary-general not to jump the gun but to allow the ROS to complete its probe.

“To me, the issue is far from over, and I hope that truth will prevail,” said Mr Aizat Fikri. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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