Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said he will be defending his vice-presidency in the upcoming party elections.

Sinar Harian today reported him saying that he will make an official announcement on this before Umno’s Sembrong division’s grassroots, whom he represents.

“I will meet with the grassroots at the branch level and I will put this matter to them. Not only will I ask them to close ranks, but also ensure the smooth running of the election.

“We have already held divisional committee meetings three days ago (Tuesday).

“The decision at the Sembrong level is that, as far as possible, all of the top positions at the Sembrong division will not be contested,” he was quoted telling a press conference yesterday.

He said this is because some Umno leaders are willing to step aside and make way for others, while other positions are still being negotiated.

The Umno supreme council election is slated to be held in December this year.