Umno polls: 8 candidates vying for VP posts

Eight candidates are in the running for the three vice-president posts in the ongoing Umno election.

Two of them are incumbents Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also the higher education minister, and former Kedah menteri besar Mahdzir Khalid.

Also contesting are Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said, former minister of housing and local government Reezal Merican Naina Merican, as well as Umno supreme council member and Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani.

Three other candidates are Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad, and Mohd Yusof Musa @ Jamaludin, a member from the party’s Iskandar Puteri division.

Their candidacies were announced during a ceremony at a Kuala Lumpur hotel last night, which Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy Mohamad Hasan attended.

Other posts up for grabs

Some 95 individuals are eligible to contest the supreme council member posts.

READ MORE: Forthcoming Umno polls shaping up to be an interesting affair

They include party secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, Jelebu MP Jalaluddin Alias, Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir, and International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Meanwhile, incumbent Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad will be up against veteran politician Shahrizat Abdul Jalil to defend her post.

As for the wing’s number two post, Penang Wanita Umno chief Norliza Abdul Rahim will challenge Rosni Zahari, who is Wanita BN's communications director.

READ MORE: Shahrizat's return - boon or bane for Wanita Umno?

The Umno Youth chief post will see a four-cornered fight between Paya Besar MP Mohd Shahar Abdullah, Merlimau assemblyperson Muhamad Akmal Saleh, supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah, and Meor Hassan Mat Ali.

Four candidates will also be in the running for the youth wing’s vice chief post, including Mohd Nazifuddin Mohd Najib and Johor Youth chief Mohd Hairi Mad Shah.

The race for the Puteri Umno top post will involve six candidates, including its vice-chief Nurul Amal Mohd Fauzi, supreme council member Khaidhirah Abu Zahar, and the wing’s secretary Nurul Hazwani Mohd Fauzi.

Meanwhile, Zahid, in his speech, hoped the party election will run smoothly according to the guidelines set, in line with the aim of making Umno stronger.

He also stressed that the polls are crucial as those contesting are representing Umno and not any other groups.

- Bernama

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