Najib backs Hisham for veep

PM hopes minister gets the most votes in party polls

UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak hopes Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein will get the highest votes for one of the three vice-president posts still open for contest in the party polls next year.

“The three vice-president posts are open for contest but we hope Hishammuddin will get the highest votes,” Najib told reporters after winding up the Umno general assembly.

On Friday, the Umno general assembly approved a motion put forward by Umno Youth for the top two party posts to be uncontested in the party polls, which would be held next year, the same as the 14th general election.

The issue was also raised by delegates from Wanita Umno and Umno Puteri.

The motion for the top two posts to go uncontested, Najib said, was in line with the party’s constitution as this was carried out and approved by the Umno general assembly.

“It is a unanimous decision made through the annual general assembly. The general assembly can even amend the party’s constitution if necessary,” he said.

Asked what would happen should an Umno member decide to contest the top two posts next year, Najib said the member’s nomination would automatically be declared invalid.

With the motion approved by the general assembly, Najib and vice-president carrying the duties of deputy president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will not be challenged for the top two posts in Umno elections next year.

Earlier in his winding-up speech, Najib described his de facto deputy president as a friend in good and bad times.

He told delegates that they had a special relationship that dates back to 1986.

Najib said while they shared many experiences together, there was one episode that exemplified their strong bond.

He said in 1988, Dr Ahmad Zahid asked him to open the Bagan Datuk youth meeting where he contested for the youth chief post, which he won narrowly by 11 votes.

He said despite incurring the wrath of the then Bagan Datuk Umno chief, he stood by his decision to open the meeting.

“I defended my friend. I supported him openly. I consider him a friend in both good and bad times,” he said.

Two years ago, when his then deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin “acted up”, Najib said it was Dr Ahmad Zahid who came forward to defend him.

“That’s the irony of history. And because of his support, Umno has fully recovered,” he said.

Earlier, Dr Ahmad Zahid led the over 2,700 delegates in taking a pledge of loyalty towards the party and its leadership in preparations for the polls.

They also promised to abide by the decisions made by the leadership to ensure that Umno and Barisan Nasional secure a two-third majority.

“We will also obey the decisions of the leadership in choosing winnable candidates for a brighter future,” said Dr Ahmad Zahid.

He also thanked the party president for placing his trust in him since he was appointed Najib’s political secretary in 1987.

“I would like to say that as long as I live, my loyalty to the president is undivided.

“And I am confident that all of you, ladies and gentlemen, will also be with the president.