PETALING JAYA: While there will be no fight in the top two posts in the upcoming Umno polls, the three vice-president posts will be keenly contested, says Pulai MP Datuk Nur Jazlan.
The Pulai MP said the fight for the three vice-presidency posts were by those positioning themselves to take over the top leadership in the future.
“I believe there will be a scramble for these positions,” he said.
Umno's current vice-presidents Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal have announced their intention to defend their posts.
Former vice-president Tan Sri Isa Samad announced his intention to challenge for one of the posts Tuesday.
Other names speculated to be entering the fray include former Malacca chief minister Datuk Sri Ali Rustam, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir and Sabah chief minitser Datuk Sri Musa Aman.
Nur Jazlan also believed that many members would be contesting the Supreme Council positions including himself.
Nur Jazlan however said the polls this time could still be a tame affair, as he believed there would be no challenge for the top positions in Umno.
“I don’t foresee anyone going for the top two spots. Therefore the elections become muted. If there is a contest for the top two posts, the party will be divided."
He said that after general elections in May, many Umno members were worried that the party might not recover ground anymore, especially since the component parties such as MCA and MIC are in a weakened state.
“There is a possibility that BN might keep slipping to the point where we have to face reality of losing control of the federal government in the future elections, whether it’s the next election or the one after. Umno is holding the fort in Barisan now and it can’t afford a split,” he said.
While Umno improved its share of seats in the last election, Barisan Nasional as a whole performed worse winning only 133 seats and garnering less of the popular vote than rival coalition Pakatan Rakyat.
