FORMER prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob has said he will not be defending his Umno vice-president’s post.

The Bera lawmaker said he will be coming out with a full statement later.

“No,” he told the Malaysian Insight in a WhatsApp message today.

“I will come out with a press release (later) ,” he said when pressed on his decision.

The registration for Umno election candidates closed at 5pm today.

The other two vice-presidents defending their posts are Higher Education Minister Khaled Nordin and former Kedah menteri besar Mahdzir Khalid.

Among those vying for the position of vice president are former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said, Umno Titiwangsa leader Johari Abdul Ghani, Pahang Chief Minister Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir and Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Umno elections began on February 1 and will run until March 18 with branch polls for committees, Wanita, Youth and Puteri Wings slated from February 1 to 26.

The divisional elections for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri Committees will be held simultaneously nationwide on March 11.

The Umno divisional delegates meeting and elections along with the election for Umno Supreme Council Members will be held simultaneously throughout the country on March 18. –  February 26, 2023