FORMER Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad has thrown his hat into the ring and will be among those vying for an Umno vice-president post in the upcoming party polls.

Confirming his intention, the Umno Supreme Council member said he was availing himself to be a candidate as it was the only top position that can be contested in the elections.

The party’s delegates at its annual general assembly had resolved that there would be no contest for the offices of president and deputy president.

“I am offering myself as a candidate as it is the only position that can be contested at the moment. I believe many will be contesting the posts, including incumbents such as Mohamed Khaled Nordin,” said Hasni.

“In the spirit of wanting to contribute to Umno, I am also contesting,” he was quoted as saying in news reports today.

Hasni, who is Simpang Renggam MP and Benut assemblyman, said the crowded field in the contest for the three vice-president posts was a positive sign.

“Although there have been some quarters making negative remarks about Umno lately, I see many leaders coming forward to offer themselves as candidates, this is a positive sign.

“This shows that the leaders that we have now are not leaving Umno as they have the confidence that the party can still contribute in a major way towards the nation’s future,” he said.

According to news reports, at least seven candidates will be contesting for the three vice-president spots.

They include the party’s Supreme Council members Zambry Abdul Kadir, Azalina Othman Said and Johari Abdul Ghani.

Zambry is foreign minister while Azalina is law and institutional reform minister in the Anwar Ibrahim-led cabinet.

Apart from incumbent Khaled, others keen to contest are Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Sabah UmnO chief  Bung Moktar Radin.

Two other incumbents, former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Mahdzir Khalid,  have not indicated if they will defend their posts. – February 4, 2023.