Johor Umno has added its voice to a growing chorus against allowing Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Hishamuddin Hussein to have a walkover in the upcoming party polls.

Zahid and Hishammuddin are now the party's de facto top two following Najib Abdul Razak's resignation as party president after leading BN to its first defeat in 61 years.

Johor Umno chief Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the state chapter, after discussions in a meeting, decided all positions including the party presidency should be contested.

“In our meeting, Johor Umno agreed all posts must be contested because this is important for the party," he was quoted as saying by The Star Online.

The Umno presidency has not seen a challenge since 1987, which at that time resulted in a split in the party.

Yesterday, Negeri Sembilan Umno chief Mohamad Hasan also backed calls for all posts in Umno to be contested.

This was after Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin criticised talks of maintaining the old practice of allowing safe passage for the top two positions. 

“No, we can’t have that rule (uncontested positions) anymore in Umno. That proposal has sent a negative signal to the people.

“I don’t agree if there are any positions left uncontested in this next Umno polls. Of course I am happy if there are people supporting me but all positions in Umno must be contested,” he had said.