KUALA LUMPUR, 18 Oct 2008: The race for nominations for the Umno Youth chief post remained intense yesterday with the movement’s deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin obtaining another nomination from the Putatan division, bringing his total to 23.
Earlier yesterday, Khairy received a nomination from the Rantau Panjang division.
Jerlun Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, who received a nomination from the Pendang Umno Youth division, is still leading with 42 nominations.
Another contender, former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Khir Toyo received a nomination from the Kemaman division, bringing his total nominations to 14.
The Putatan Youth Division nominated Kota Kinabalu Youth chief Bahrul Raz Ha Chuprat as Youth deputy chief.
The Marang and Putatan Puteri Umno divisions nominated Puteri information chief Datuk Shahaniza Shamsuddin for the Puteri chief post to bring her total to 36.
Her closest rival is Puteri vice-chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin who has thus far collected 30 nominations after obtaining another nomination from the Kemaman division.
The Bukit Katil Puteri division nominated Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid as Puteri chief to bring her nominations to seven while the Putatan division picked Kedah Puteri chief Sahanim Md Yusuf for the post.
For the post of vice-chief, the Marang Puteri division nominated Trengganu Puteri chief Senator Nordiana Shafie while the Bukit Katil division chose Shahaniza.
Both Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and her deputy Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who are defending their posts, bagged six more nominations each.
They were picked by the Alor Star, Kuala Trengganu, Kubang Kerian, Bukit Katil, Merbok and Tanjong Piai divisions, bringing their total nominations to 58 each.
Shahrizat, however, received nominations from the Jerlun and Kemaman divisions for the top Wanita post despite announcing she would not be going for the post.
The Jerlun and Kemaman Wanita divisions also nominated Kuala Kangsar Wanita chief Datuk Kamilia Ibrahim for the deputy Wanita chief post, bringing her total to nine.
Two other contenders, Pengerang Umno division chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has so far received four nominations while Johor Wanita chief Datuk Halimah Mohamed Sadique, two. — Bernama
