KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 4 — The Umno deputy presidency is heading for a heated contest among the party's middle-rung leaders who have their eye cast on becoming Malaysia's next deputy prime minister.
Even before Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announces his retirement in favour of his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Razak — which he is expected to do — Umno's second-liners are actively seeking support to fill the No. 2 vacancy.
The contest is closely watched as Umno's deputy president is also, by convention, the country's deputy premier.
Minister-in-charge of religion Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was the first to throw his hat into the ring, although Minister of International Trade and Industry Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin is also expected to put his name on the ballot.
“Yes, yes, I will be contesting (the deputy president's post),” Ahmad Zahid was reported as saying by The Star yesterday.
Muhyiddin had said he would make an announcement only after Abdullah makes his stand clear. It is understood that at least two other leaders are also testing the ground: former menteris besar for Negri Sembilan Tan Sri Isa Samad and for Selangor Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
The race is heating up fast as it is rare for the top two posts in Umno to come up vacant. Abdullah's decision not to contest the top post will see Najib heading upwards, leaving his own seat vacant.
The Prime Minister has pledged to announce his decision before the divisions begin meeting to make their nominations on Oct 9.
Ahmad Zahid's announcement has caused a flutter in Umno, prompting some to describe him as impatient.
“It is premature,” said an Umno Youth leader in Johor.
But it is not surprising as candidates must obtain 39 nominations, or 20 per cent of the 191 divisions, to qualify to contest.
It is also seen by some as a move to check Muhyiddin's easy ride. He had angered Abdullah's supporters by being among the first to urge him to retire early to allow Umno to rebuild.
He also started the latest push to oust Abdullah when he called last month for the Prime Minister to retire earlier than his original planned date of June 2010.
Muhyiddin, 61, is currently seen as the front runner, especially as a team with Najib. Several divisions announced that they would nominate the two for the top positions. But Muhyiddin lacks wide grassroots support, even in his home state of Johor.
A senior Johor warlord told The Straits Times that his division would prefer someone “of a younger generation”.
The 55-year-old Ahmad Zahid is popular on the ground, having maintained his network since he was Youth chief from 1996 to 1998.
He reportedly told The Star that he decided to go for the post due to requests by the grassroots for him to join forces with Najib.
He was a former political secretary to Najib, and former close ally of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Najib's aides believe that the deputy premier will remain neutral, and allow the party delegates to make their choice in the party polls next March. — The Straits Times
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