Despite speculations that  Mohd Ali Rustam may bow out of the Umno vice-president race, the ex-Malacca chief minister finally turned up at the nomination centre this evening, squashing rumours of a U-turn.

The leader who has been known for his racially-charged remarks submitted his nomination papers at 3.45pm today and proceeded to officially announced his candidacy before the press.

Speculations of his possible withdrawal were rife after he declined to confirm the status of his candidacy yesterday.

Ali, 64, when contacted by Utusan Malaysia, neither confirmed nor denied the speculation which the Umno-owned daily claimed had popped up last week.

NONE“I have no comment, just wait till tomorrow (today),” he told the daily.

Previously, it was reported that the Umno vice-president posts, currently held by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Shafie Apdal and Hishammuddin Hussein, will see a six-way fight.

This came about with the inclusion of Felda chairperson Isa Samad, Ali, who is also Permodalan Usahawan Nasional Bhd chairperson, and Kedah Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir (left), son of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.