KUALA LUMPUR, 13 Oct 2008: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and International Trade and Industry Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin continue to receive nominations from the divisions for the Umno president’s and deputy president’s posts respectively.
Until late last night, Najib became the sole candidate nominated for the president’s post with 28 nominations, while Muhyiddin had 23 nominations for the deputy president’s post.
Two more contenders for the deputy president’s post, Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Rural and Regional Development Minister Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib, collected three and two nominations respectively.
Candidates eyeing the president’s post each needs at least 58 nominations, while the minimum for deputy president is 38 and for vice-presidents, 19.
So far, there are 11 candidates keen to vie for the three vice-president’s posts. Only Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein has qualified to contest after obtaining 24 nominations.
Among two of the contenders, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has 14 nominations so far and Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, 13 nominations.
The others are Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin (10 nominations), Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (6), Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim (4) and former federal territories minister Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad (4).
Former Perlis menteri besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim received three nominations, former science, technology and innovation minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis (2), Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (2) and Kelantan Umno liaison chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa (1).
Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings
Jerlun Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir became the first candidate to qualify to contest the Umno Youth chief’s post after getting 40 nominations, exceeding the minimum of 38 required, from 72 divisions which met since 9 Oct.
The movement’s deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin obtained 19 nominations.
Among the other contenders, former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo received 12 nominations while Perlis Umno liaison deputy chairman Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin had one nomination.
For the post of Umno Youth deputy chief, Muar MP Razali Ibrahim has qualified to contest after garnering 35 nominations and so has the wing’s executive committee member Datuk Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who has 30 nominations.
The incumbent Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz received 11 more nominations to increase the number to 52 to defend the post.
Although her deputy, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had said she would not be vying for the top post, she still received 13 nominations.
In the race for the deputy chief’s post, Shahrizat has qualified after getting 52 nominations, exceeding the minimum of 29 required.
Another contender for this post is Kuala Kangsar Wanita chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim, who received four more nominations yesterday.
The other contenders, Johor Wanita chief Datuk Halimah Sadique received two nominations while Pengerang Umno division chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, who is also Tourism Minister, obtained four nominations.
There is stiff contest for the Puteri Umno head’s post between its information chief Datuk Shahaniza Shamsudin and vice-chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin, who received 32 and 28 nominations respectively so far, after 82 divisions have held their meetings nationwide.
Puteri executive committee member Datin Ismalina Ismail is also contesting the post. She received 12 nominations while the movement’s secretary Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid has six and Penang Puteri head Azlina Mehtab Mohd Ishaq has four. — Bernama
