Between the two existing Umno vice-presidents, Hishammuddin Hussein is the preferred choice of Selangor voters as the successor to party president Najib Abdul Razak, a survey has revealed.

However, Hishammuddin only narrowly trumped fellow vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also deputy prime minister and acting Umno deputy president, by one percent.

The survey, conducted by Selangor government think tank Institute Darul Ehsan (IDE) in the state from Aug 26 to 30, showed that 32 percent of the respondents favoured Hishammuddin as Najib's successor, while 31 percent preferred Ahmad Zahid.

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin came in third at 28 percent.

The survey results were presented at Carlton Holiday Hotel in Shah Alam today by IDE deputy chairperson Mohammad Redzuan Othman.

A more detailed breakdown of the respondents by age showed that Hishammuddin was most popular among the age group of 31 to 50 years old.

Zahid was more popular among those above 51 years old, while Khairy was most popular among the youth aged between 21 and 30 years.

Anwar more popular than Dr M

The survey also asked respondents which opposition leaders would be most able to lead Malaysia.

Jailed de facto PKR chief Anwar Ibrahim scored the most at 30 percent, with former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad coming in second at 24 percent.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia pro-tem president Muhyiddin Yassin was third with 17 percent.

DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang scored 15 and 14 percent respectively.

Earlier today, Mahathir said Muhyiddin, who is the former deputy prime minister and former Umno deputy president, would be the top pick for prime minister if the opposition wins the next general election.

But DAP publicity chief Tony Pua said in response that Pakatan Harapan's potential candidate for prime minister remains Anwar.