NINE out of 13 Penang Umno division chiefs are set to win uncontested in the party polls today, dashing hopes of a renewed leadership in the party’s state unit.

Seven division deputy chairman and three division vice-chairman positions are also going unopposed to single candidates.

In the Permatang Pauh, Jelutong, Bukit Gelugor and Bayan Baru divisions, all top three posts are expecting a no contest.

In a list from a local Umno source sighted by The Malaysian Insight,  Kepala Batas MP and former deputy foreign minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican is among the division chiefs winning uncontested.

Reezal is one of two Umno MPs in the Pakatan Harapan-controlled state. He was also the state Umno deputy chairman.

The Supreme Council member and former Umno Youth leader is likely to be the choice for state Umno chief, an appointment made by the party president.

Reezal is also defending his Supreme Council seat.

Outgoing state chairman Zainal Abidin Osman, who also heads the Nibong Tebal division, has recently said he would not seek reelection.

Other incumbents who have no challengers are Mohd Zaidi Mohd Said (Permatang Pauh), Musa Sheikh Fadzir (Bukit Mertajam), Muhammad Noor Ahmad (Batu Kawan), Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman (Jelutong), Omar Faudzar (Bukit Gelugor), Mansor Musa (Bayan Baru)

Shafiee Kasim, who was previously the Nibong Tebal division deputy chairman, is set to win the division chairman’s position uncontested as is Jeffri Salim, who is also an Umno Youth exco, in the Tanjong division.

Only the Tasek Gelugor, Bagan, Balik Pulau and Bukit Bendera divisions will see contests for the division chairman posts. The contests feature state Umno personalities Tasek Gelugor MP Shabudin Yahaya and Sungai Dua assemblyman Muhammad Yusoff Mohd Nor (Tasek Gelugor); Dr Sheikh Hussein Mydin (Bagan); Ahmad Ismail (Bukit Bendera); former Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhammad Farid Saad; and former Teluk Bahang assemblyman Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah (Balik Pulau).

Several division deputy chairman positions are also seeing no contest. Former Pinang Tunggal assemblyman Roslan Saidin wins the number two post in Kepala Batas uncontested.

Mohd Shahril Harun is expected to win uncontested the number two post in the Bagan division, as are Youth leader Abu Bakar Sidekh Zainul Abidin in the Permatang Pauh division, Abdul Jalil Ariffin in Bukit Bendera, Saleem Sulaiman in Jelutong, Abu Bakar Ahmad Lim in Bukit Gelugor, and Liakat Ali Muhamed Ali in Bayan Baru.

Vce-chairman candidates with no challengers so far are Suhaimi Sabudin (Permatang Pauh), Abdul Muthalib Samsudeen (Jelutong), Abd Rahim Omar (Bukit Gelugor) and Azizan Md Zain (Bayan Baru).

The state party polls are taking place at a time the party is at its weakest in Penang.

Umno won only two parliamentary seats – Kepala Batas and Tasek Gelugor – and two state seats – Sungai Dua and Permatang Berangan – in last month’s general election. – June 23, 2018.