Former ministers eye veep posts
KUALA LUMPUR: Former minister in Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid are expected to contest the Umno vice-presidents’ posts in the party polls.
Mahdzir, an Umno Supreme Council member, said the party needed an inclusive and holistic plan to face new challenges.
“Therefore, I feel it is my responsibility to humbly offer my services to ensure Umno regains the trust of the people and continues to drive the core agenda of the struggle for the sake of religion, race and citizens of our beloved nation,” he said in a statement.
Mahdzir called for support from all levels of the Umno leadership in the coming party election.
“Let’s unite in order to renew Umno’s struggles.”
A local news portal reported that Shahidan, apart from going for the senior party post, would also defend his Supreme Council member’s post.
“I have taken the forms for Umno vice-president and Supreme Council member positions.
“I am considering running for vice-president, but will defend my seat in the council,” he was quoted as saying.
The contest for the three Umno vice-presidents’ posts appears to be a heated one. Shahidan’s inclusion would bring the number of contenders to eight.
Other Umno leaders who have expressed an interest are Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, former trade and industry minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Mahdzir, former second finance minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and former rural and regional development minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, as well as former Johor menteri besar Datuk Seri Khaled Nordin and former deputy agriculture and agro-based industry minister Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
Nominations for the party election are from June 1 to 17, while voting will take place on June 30.
Shahidan told the news portal that he wished to run for the vicepresidency because he hoped to start a “resurgence movement” in the country’s oldest political party.
“I wish to start a ‘resurgence movement’ in Umno, starting with Perlis, where the party won a two-thirds majority in the 14th General Election,” he said.