KUALA LUMPUR – Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican is the latest to join the race for three vice-president posts in the party's ongoing elections for the 2023-2026 term.
Reezal said he submitted his nomination form for the race at the Umno headquarters this morning.
“I’m stepping forward in the race for vice-president with a clear mission to offer service, capability, and loyalty to Umno,” he said in announcing his decision on Facebook.
The media also report Reezal as saying at the Umno headquarters today that despite the crowded field, the party needs more choices.
The former Kepala Batas MP also said he has more time to serve the party now that he is no longer a lawmaker. The former housing and local government minister had defended his seat in the 15th general election last November but lost.
New Straits Times reported that another contender who submitted her nomination form for the vice-presidency today was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
Yesterday, Titiwangsa MP and Federal Territories Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani also submitted his form for the vice-presidency, confirming his entry into the race.
In the past week, others who have confirmed that they are in the running for the three vice-president seats are incumbents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is higher education minister and Kota Tinggi MP, and former rural regional development minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
The third incumbent, former prime minister and Bera MP Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, has yet to confirm if he will defend his post.
NST’s tally of confirmed contestants for the three vice-presidents’ posts is eight. Besides the five above, the others are Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, and former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, all of whom have submitted their nomination papers.
Umno is holding polls for its 191 divisions and 22,000 branches nationwide.
Following a party resolution at its annual general assembly last month, only the president and deputy president’s posts will not be contested in this Umno election, which will end on March 18 with voting for the divisional committee posts, vice-presidents and Supreme Council. – The Vibes, February 25, 2023
