ZAMBRY Abd Kadir has withdrawn from the Umno vice-presidential race to focus on his ministerial duties as well as his responsibilities as Barisan Nasional secretary.

The foreign minister said the decision was made after discussions with the Umno leadership.

“After discussing with the party leadership, I have decided to withdraw from contesting the post for this election,” he said in a statement on Facebook.

Until the nomination period closed yesterday afternoon, apart from Zambry, seven more filed nomination papers for the post, including two incumbents – Mahdzir Khalid and Mohamed Khaled Nordin – who are defending their positions.

Former prime minister Ismail Sabril Yaakob has decided not to defend his post and will explain his decision in a statement to be issued later.

Umno polls will take place next month. 

The other candidates for the three vice-president’s posts are Titiwangsa MP Johari Ghani, Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said, former Johor menteri besar Hasni Mohammad, Umno Supreme Council member Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, and former housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican.

Elections for the three vice-presidents’ posts as well as for Supreme Council positions will be on March 18.

Meanwhile, Umno elections will run until March 18, with the branch annual delegates’ meetings and Wanita, Youth and Puteri branch committee elections just concluding yesterday.

There is no contest for the party’s top two positions. – February 27, 2023.