Not as widely speculated, Parti Keadilan Rakyat supreme council member Zaid Ibrahim today reiterated that he was not interested in contesting for the party's deputy president's position.

In fact, he told Malaysiakini, he has no interest in contesting any post in the party.

"A lot of reports (have said) that I want to contest the number two NONE (position). All of these are not true. I have no interest in contesting for any post," Zaid ( left ) said.

The former law minister from Umno said he just wanted to continue contributing to the party.

"I will continue to do whatever the party entrusts to me... my priority is to help Pakatan Rakyat in any way that I can," he added.

With Zaid seemingly out of the picture, the three most likely to be vying for the No 2 post will be PKR vice-president Azmin Ali, Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and incumbent deputy president Syed Husin Ali.

Khalid, who recently gave up his post as PKR Selangor chief to Azmin, said he was not losing any sleep over the party polls due in the later part of the year.

"I am not lobbying for it. I don't go around asking people, 'hey please, consider me'. No, I have reached a certain level in my career that I am not motivated to achieve this."

'I will, if party needs me'

"I will run for a division post because it is part and parcel... but I don't have the inclination (for anything else)," he said in an exclusive interview with Malaysiakini .

However, Khalid said, he would consider contesting the position of deputy president "if the party needs me".

Questioned yesterday, incumbent Syed Husin refused to confirm or deny whether he would defend his position - thus opening room for more speculation.

It was previously reported that the former PRM president was reluctant to contest due to pressure from his family to retire.

NONE If Syed Husin ( right ) retires and Zaid doesn't contest, Azmin seems to be the most likely candidate to take the post. A founding member of the party, he has a close relationship with party adviser Anwar Ibrahim.

Azmin's recent takeover from Khalid as the Selangor PKR chief not only showed his political ambitions, but that he had also upped his game.

Third contender?

The 45-year-old has been a vice-president since 2001. During the last PKR elections in 2007, he was forced to withdraw from the contest for deputy presidency after Syed Husin made a last-minute reversal on his decision to retire from politics.

Another possible contender is the current PKR religious understanding bureau chief Muhammad Nur Manuty.

Although he is less known than Azmin, it is understood that Anwar trusts the former president of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim).

Muhammad Nur is said to be instrumental to Keadilan because of his wide international network and the respect he commands amongst the PAS leaders.

The party polls are expected to start in October with the divisional-level elections leading up to the top leadership elections.