Umno polls: 74 division chiefs win uncontested, including ex-Malaysian PM Najib

Among the division leaders who won uncontested were Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (centre), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein. PHOTOS: AFP, REUTERS

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - A total of 74 Umno division chiefs have won uncontested in the Umno polls, said party executive secretary Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh on Saturday (June 23).

In a list provided to the media, among the division leaders who won uncontested were Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Pekan), Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Bagan Datuk), Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong) and Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed (Jeli).

A total of 66 deputy division chiefs and 46 division vice presidents also won uncontested.

Ab Rauf added that 85 division Youth chiefs won without contest.

As for division Wanita chiefs, 108 won without contest, while 126 division Puteri chiefs also won uncontested.

On the Umno wings polls, Ab Rauf added that about five divisions were still having their meetings and that about 40 per cent of the votes from 191 divisions had been counted.

"We are waiting for at least 60 per cent completion of vote calculations before making announcements.

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"However for situations where there is a close tie, we will wait for official results before announcing," he told a press conference on Saturday.

The Malaysian Insight reported that "these results indicate the party warlords' continued grip on the party and the members' lack of desire to offer themselves for positions in Umno".

The favouring of status quo, said the news website, could well mean that interim president and former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will find it easy to clinch the president's post on June 30, said Ilham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar.

Political analyst Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar told Malaysian Insight that nearly 40 per cent of the division chiefs won their posts without challenge showed the dearth of leadership at the divisional level.

"As I see it, Umno is still in shock over its loss in the general election and has not consolidated ithe rank and file.

"Division chiefs still have influence and funds that give them the edge," said the political science lecturer at International Islamic University Malaysia.

The official results of the Umno wings elections will be announced at 5pm on Sunday, said party executive secretary Ab Rauf Yusof.

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