[UPDATED] I’m ready to fight for Umno posts if field opened: Hisham

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno stalwart Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has confirmed he will contest in the coming party polls if the Umno delegation allows for all posts to be open for challenge, especially the posts of party president and deputy president.

In a brief explanation to the press, Hishammuddin however said he has yet to decide on which post to contest, pending the outcome of the annual general assembly this year.

“We have to wait for the decision to be made at the AGM (annual general assembly) this year whether there is a contest (for the top two party posts).

“I will strongly consider contesting in the coming party polls if that is the case,” he said on the sidelines of Umno’s annual general assembly today.

Party polls must be held by May 19, and Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has left it to delegates at the ongoing general assembly to decide if the top two posts should be contested.

Earlier in his policy speech, Zahid chided party leaders who threw their support behind Perikatan Nasional (PN) without party approval while Umno was in negotiations to form the government after the general election. 

Zahid did not name anyone but his references to Umno being betrayed by insiders was seen as an allusion to Hishammuddin.

Hishammuddin has been speculated to go against Zahid for the party president’s post, possibly with former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin as running mate.

Umno grassroots appear to be wanting an open contest for the top two posts, but party leaders have been trying to shape a narrative for the assembly to maintain the status quo on grounds that Umno needs to regroup following its worst performance ever in a general election. – The Vibes, January 13, 2022