Ketereh MP Annuar Musa will be battling former Negeri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad Hasan for the Umno deputy presidency.

Annuar said he made the decision after discussions with senior party leaders at the national and state level, and having taken into consideration the party's current situation.

"To Allah I surrender myself. May all go well, and my loyalty to the party to fight for race, religion, and country will continue," the incumbent Umno information chief said in a statement today.

Thus far only Annuar and Mohamad have announced their candidacy for the number-two post.

Hishammuddin Hussein, who became de facto deputy president after Najib Abdul Razak resigned as president, has said that he would not contest any top posts in Umno.

Nominations for the Umno polls close on June 17, and voting will be held on June 30.