Umno's acting deputy president Hishammuddin Hussein has pledged his commitment to the party, with or without a party position.

"I am not going to run away. With or without a (party) position, I will continue to be with Umno to ensure the continuance of the party," he told the media today.

He admitted he has yet to make a decision with regards to the party election that will be held on June 30.

"Whatever decision is made on my party post will be based on what I think is best for the party," he said, adding that he would make a decision soon.

"This is something I have to deliberate on and hear from friends," said Hishammuddin.

The former defence minister is the cousin of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak who is being probed over the 1MDB scandal.

Last week, Malaysiakini reported that Hishammuddin might not contest any posts in the coming Umno election. This includes his current position as vice-president.

Following Najib's resignation as both Umno president and BN chairperson after the May 9 polls, Hishammuddin is serving as acting party number two whereas deputy president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is carrying out the functions of Umno president.

Zahid has decided to run for the party presidency while ousted Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan is eyeing the deputy's post.

As for the three posts of vice-president, Umno supreme council members Johari Abdul Ghani, Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, Shahidan Kassim and Khaled Nordin have officially stated their interest.

Speculation has been circulating that former ministers Mustapa Mohamed, Mahdzir Khalid and Ismail Sabri Yaakob are also among those interested in the vice-president posts.

No finger-pointing

Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (above), meanwhile, has said she will not to defend her Wanita chief's post.

Hishamuddin said he respected Shahrizat's decision not to contest in the upcoming Umno elections.

"She said this (her decision) is based on (taking) responsibility for the result of the 14th general election. She, however, pledged to guide whomever is chosen by Wanita to lead them," he said.

The Sembrong parliamentarian advised party members not to resort to finger-pointing in the run-up to the party polls as this would weaken Umno.

Umno members should not just look at party posts but also at the huge responsibility that came with such post in reviving Umno, he said.