KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has had a change of mind and now will only go for the Umno vice president's post at the party elections in March.
While Zahid announced his pull out, information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib confirmed his candidacy for Umno No. 2.
Muhammad, a former Selangor menteri besar, will join a crowded field which is said to include Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam and Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed, among others.
Zahid, 55, who prior to this had stated he wanted to go for the deputy presidency, said he was dropping out in the interest of party unity and out of respect for Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is slated to take over as president.
“I appeal for support and nominations from the grassroots during the divisional delegates meetings for only the vice president post.
“I also wish to state my support and undivided loyalty to Datuk Seri Najib, who has the confidence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to take over the leadership of Umno,” he said in a brief statement issued here today.
"It looks like they want a Najib-Muhyiddin team," an Umno source told The Malaysian Insider, referring to Najib's bid to succeed Abdullah as party president.
Abdullah announced yesterday that he would not defend his post and would step down as premier next March, making him the shortest-serving Malaysian prime minister.
"The party warlords don't want a contest for the top two posts as they want to consolidate and project unity to regain support," another source said.
He expected Ali and Nur Jazlan to also scrap their bids in the coming days with some of them shifting their attention for one of the three vice-presidency slots.
Among those expected to contest the veep posts are Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, the current Umno Youth chief and a cousin of Najib.
Nominations begin tomorrow when the Kimanis and Machang Umno divisions meet, starting the month-long period for divisional meetings.
Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has said he will contest the presidency but Umno officials do not expect him to get the 58 nominations to be a candidate.
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No 2. Contenders: What abt tat Mr.Sodomy? He and those righteous goons at PR are still a threat to us you know.
Najis : Dont worry lar, Old Fox Dr.Maharaja will come in and advise us on how to tackle Mr.Sodomy as long as we make Old Fox son the new Youth Head.
No 2 Contenders: Cannot lar! What about the promises we made to our own cronies?
Najis : Sabar lar ok. Once Mr.Sodomy is gone, we'll sit down and talk to Old Fox Dr.Maharaja again. At the meantime, mari kita enjoy makan 'our ketuanan cake' dulu ya.
No.2 Contenders rushing in for the bread crumbs from Najis feet.
The rakyat can continue to burn candles peaceful demonstration and eat 'dog food' as long as they continue to pay taxes for the 'ketuanan cake'