Eight candidates vying for VP posts in Umno polls

Eight candidates are in the running for the three vice-president posts in the ongoing Umno election.

Two of them are incumbents: Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also higher education minister, and Padang Terap MP Mahdzir Khalid.

Other candidates in the running are Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (law and institutional reform) Azalina Othman Said, former Kepala Batas MP Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Umno Supreme Council member Johari Abdul Ghani.

Also contesting are Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad and Mohd Yusof Musa@Jamaludin, a member of the party’s Iskandar Puteri division.

Their candidacies were announced at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur last night, also attended by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Mohamad Hasan.

Some 95 individuals are eligible to contest the Supreme Council member posts, including party secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias, Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir and International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz.

Meanwhile, incumbent Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad will defend her post against veteran politician Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

As for the wing’s number two post, Rosni Zahari, who is Wanita Barisan Nasional communications director, will be challenged by Penang Wanita Umno chief Norliza Abdul Rahim.

The Umno Youth chief post will see a four-cornered fight between Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah, Merlimau assemblyman Muhamad Akmal Saleh, Supreme Council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah and Meor Hassan Mat Ali.

Four candidates will also be in the running for the wing’s vice-chief post, including Mohd Nazifuddin Mohd Najib and Johor Youth chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.

The race for the Puteri Umno top post will involve six candidates, including its vice-chief Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, Supreme Council member Khaidhirah Abu Zahar and the wing’s secretary Nurul Hazwani Mohd Fauzi.

Zahid, in his speech, said he hoped the party election would run smoothly according to the guidelines set, in line with the aim of making Umno stronger.

He added that the polls were crucial as those contesting represented Umno Malaysia and no other group.