UMNO Perak is believed to be preparing to throw its support behind Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the party’s next president, even though the state’s party leaders have been told not to make their preference official, said its chairman, Zambry Abd Kadir.

“We don’t have an official stand on who we are siding with, as per instructions,” he said today.

“We were told not to make any announcement on who we’re supporting to be president but, of course, we have a choice and preference… naturally, being from Perak,” said Zambry.

Zahid, who is from Perak, is the party’s acting president after former chief Najib Razak stepped down following Umno and Barisan Nasional’s shocking losses in the 14th general election.

Zambry said the Umno elections this year was more open as members are able to pick any candidate they feel is able to lead the Malay party.

“He (Zahid) has directed for there to be space for Umno members to make their own choices based on whether the candidates truly have the ability to administer, manage and lead Umno.

“We can’t just look at one aspect, in the context of rhetoric. What is important is how they can bring all Umno members together to correct our past failures, and then rebuild Umno so it can command confidence,” said the Pangkor state assemblyman.

Perak is a key state in the Umno presidential race as it has one of the largest number of divisions at 24, apart from Sabah (25), Johor (26), and Selangor (22).

Political analysts say that Zahid’s chances of winning the top post look brighter than the other four candidates, and he is expected to secure at least 15 representative votes in Sabah due to his wide network of supporters in the Borneon state.

Zahid is also seen to be more popular among division heads and, based on the selection process in 2013, Zahid won the post of deputy president with the highest number of votes, missing out on only three votes out of the 191 divisions.

Another presidential contender, Khairy Jamaluddin, had urged representatives not to allow “warlords” to determine the future of Umno, and to base their votes on the individual candidate’s leadership style.

The Rembau MP expressed confidence that Umno grassroots members will vote responsibly without influence or interference from other people. – June 25, 2018.