[UPDATED] Umno polls: eight contenders vie for vice-president posts

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno tonight confirmed eight candidates who will vie for three vice-presidential positions in the party polls on March 18.

Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said is among them, while Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid are incumbents and will defend their positions.

They will be competing against current party supreme council member Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, incumbent Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, and Mohd Yusof Musa.

The list of candidates for national level positions were released tonight on the party’s information portal, Umno Online.

Former Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Hasni Mohammad are also vying to be vice-presidents.

Former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, a vice-president incumbent, is not on the list of candidates, having confirmed recently that he will not contest in the party elections.

Meanwhile, a whopping 95 candidates are set to contest for supreme council member positions.

Those contesting for the positions include deputy finance minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, whose name was found inside the Pandora Papers, is also in the running for a supreme council seat.

After being dropped from the Sabah cabinet, the state’s Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is also seeking another term on the supreme council.

Puteri Umno head Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan also set her eyes on the supreme council role, instead of remaining in the party wing.

One-term Kota Baru MP and lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim is also seeking a supreme council post.

Making a comeback to active politics in Umno is former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamad Khir Toyo, who was found guilty of corruption in 2011, after stepping down from the post.

Another big name making a comeback is Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who returns to contest for the Wanita chief position against incumbent Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad.

The Umno Youth wing will see a four-cornered fight for its chief position.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Arman Azha Abu Hanifah will be competing against Merlimau assemblyman Muhammad Akmal Saleh, Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah, and Meor Hassan Mat Ali.

For the party’s Puteri wing, over half of the candidates are new faces, with six contestants for the chief role, according to Umno Online.

They are Wan Noor Akyilah Wan Shapuddin, Masliha Harun, Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, Khaidhirah Abu Zahar, Fahwah Anuwar, and Nurul Hazwani Haslan.

Two of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s children are also contesting to be a part of the Umno family this term.

His son Nazifuddin will run for the vice chief position for the Youth wing, while his daughter Nooryana will vie for an exco role in the Puteri wing. – The Vibes, March 2, 2023