Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has welcomed the decision by Mohd Ali Rustam to contest the vice-president's post.    

Zahid, who is also the home minister said the decision by Ali to contest the senior post made the party elections more interesting and open.     

"I hope Umno delegates at the grassroots will make the best choice on October 19. This will enhance Umno and the leadership of Najib Razak and Muhyiddin Yassin," he told reporters after attending the 'Pemimpin Bersama Rakyat' programme, Tawau today.     

Besides former Malacca chief minister Ali, former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Isa Samad also offered to contest the Umno vice-president's post.     

The other two incumbent Umno vice-presidents are Hishammuddin Hussein (defence minister) and Shafie Apdal (rural and regional development minister).     

In Kuala Lumpur, Shafie described the contest for senior posts as proof of the existence of a democratic system in the party.     

He said the contest for posts is a family affair and leave it to the delegates to pick their choice.     

"Umno members are mature and can evaluate the candidates," he told reporters after attending the Aidilfitri and Merdeka Mara celebration, in KL today.     

"Several leaders have offered themselves for office. We wait until September 28 (registration deadline for contesting candidates)."     

Shafie won the Umno vice-president's post in the party elections in 2009.

'More the merrier'   

In Alor Setar, Felda chairman Isa said the more candidates contesting the Umno vice-president's post, the better it would be for the party.     

"I believe that my ability and experience can help the government and the Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 14th general election.     

"More young candidates the better as we want continuity with a mix of veteran and young leaders," he told reporters after attending the Aidilfitri celebration of Alor Setar Felda region, Alor Setar today.     

In Kuala Lumpur, Wanita Umno information chief Hamidah Osman said 40 leaders had offered to contest the Wanita Umno exco posts in the party elections next month.     

"Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Jalil who is defending her post will be involved in a straight fight with former Puteri Umno chief Azalina Othman Said," she told Bernama in KL today.     

The Wanita Umno vice-chief's post will see a straight fight between Kedah state exco member Suraya Yaacob and Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Azizah Mohd Dun.     

The Wanita Umno vice-chief's post fell vacant after Kamalia Ibrahim  was sacked from Umno after contesting as an independent candidate for the  Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat in the May 5 general election.     

The nomination date to contest the Wanita Umno, Umno Youth and Puteri Umno exco posts were set for Sept 21 with the elections on Oct 12.

Reezal Merican eyes supreme council

Meanwhile the MP for Kepala Batas Reezal Merican Naina Merican today offered to contest the Umno supreme council post in the party elections.     

Reezal, who is also Umno Youth information chief said he made the decision after receiving support and encouragement from various quarters especially Umno Youth who want him to contest the post.     

"The decision to offer myself to contest the post is among efforts to rejuvenate and respond to the transformation plan by the prime minister, the government and Umno," he told reporters in Kepala Batas today.     

In Georgetown, Penang Malay Congress president Rahmad Isahak said Penang Umno requires a paradigm shift in leadership to overcome challenges and win back the support of the Malays.     

He said the party needs young leaders who have the qualification and potential to be featured at national level and attract the Umno delegates.     

"I welcome the nomination of Reezal Merican Naina Merican as Umno supreme council member representing Umno Youth.     

"In the context of transforming Umno to become more dynamic and to get the support of the Malays, his nomination as a candidate is timely," he said in a statement in Georgetown today.     

Rahmad said this regarding the nomination of Reezal Merican as candidate to contest the Umno supreme council post at the party elections next month.     

In Kinabatangan, the Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan, Bung Mokhtar Radin said he will defend the Umno supreme council post at the party elections next month.     

Bung Mokhtar, who will also defend the Kinabatangan Umno division chief post said the decisions were made based on the support of party and community leaders in the district.     

"It is also to ensure that the voice of Sabahans will continue to be heard by central Umno leaders," he told reporters after the Aidil Fitri open house of  Kinabatangan Umno division in Kinabatangan today.      

Bung Moktar, 54, held the position of Kinabatangan Umno Division chief since 1996 and Umno Supreme Council post since 2009.    

Saifuddin to recontest   

 

In Temerloh, former deputy higher education minister Saifuddin Abdullah said he will defend the Umno supreme council post at the party elections.     

He said today that Umno members are mature and able to evaluate and choose leaders who can provide services to the party.     

"Umno is a big party and democracy allows anyone to contest but let it be conducted properly to safeguard the party," he said after attending the Aidilfitri celebration of Akademik Belia Daerah Temerloh.     

In SIK, Sik Umno division chief Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah said he will defend the post in the party elections next month.     

The Kedah exco for Information, rural and urban development and poverty eradication said branch leaders wanted him to continue to lead the Umno division.