Umno Elections: Eight prominent figures running for vice president post

SHAH ALAM - Despite the fact that the top two positions in the Umno election are not contested, the 2023 session is still brimming with intensity.

At 5pm today (Sunday), all candidature applications for this term will be officially closed.

Candidates who submit their candidature forms after the hour will not be accepted.

All eyes will be on Dato’ Onn Tower to view the final list of candidates contesting this critical election to re-strengthen the largest Malay party in the country.

The party’s election session involved the scramble for the vice president, Supreme Council, Branch Committee, Wanita, Youth, and Puteri positions.

What was interesting is that the position of vice president gained a lot of competition from influential individuals within Umno.

The individuals were the Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, the Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and the Law Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Also participating were former Kepala Batas MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, Simpang Renggam MP Datuk Seri Hasni Mohamad, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Wilayah Persekutuan Umno Liaison Body chairman Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Azalina's role as the only woman on the candidate list should not be taken lightly, as she was simultaneously bringing a message and reformation of the race to the party.

The appearance of Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil contesting for the position of Wanita chief against its incumbent, Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad was seen as a surprise by the public, but it gave the signal that the influence of big names has yet to fade from Umno.

This session was hoped to be the first step in shaping a better future for the oldest political movement in Malaysia.