KUALA LUMPUR - Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein says he is not afraid to defend his vice president's post in Umno although it looks like a very tight scramble with at least 6 heavyweights gunning for the 3 coveted spots.
The VP posts in Umno are the third most powerful in the party chain of command, just below that of the deputy president and president.
Already, Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman has indicated his intention to throw his hat into the ring, with his brother Anifah - the Foreign Affairs minister - telling the press Musa was sure to win if he chose to contest.
While there is no reason why there cannot be 2 East Malaysian vice presidents in Umno, Musa Aman's entry is regarded as a challenge to Shafie Apdal. The minister for Rural and Regional Development, Shafie was the first East Malaysian to win a VP post in the party's central leadership even though Sabah Umno's membership is said to exceed the peninsula's in headcount.
Be that as it may, with Shafie and the third incumbent VP - Zahid Hamidi - having already expressed their intention to defend their seats, it won't be an easy ride for Hisham.
Additionally, former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam and Felda chairman Isa Abdul Samad have indicated to their supporters their intention to contest.
That already makes it a race of 6 for the 3 VP spots. And all 6 are serious contenders with a real chance of making it.
Other smaller fish may decide to join later on, but even if their chances may be questionable, they may change the game by being 'spoilers' or diluting the votes of the real contenders.
Hisham's pros and cons: Will he decide to take on Muhyiddin?
What the 52-year-old Hisham has on his side is his political lineage. He is after all Prime Minister Najib Razak's cousin and his father was the country's third prime minister.
Going against Hisham is of course his rather horrendous track record of bungling at critical moments and overall under-performance, especially during his term as Home Minister. Critics had crucified him mercilessly, forcing Najib to switch him to the Defense ministry.
Even so, blood is thick than water and many believe Najib might support Hisham to take on deputy president Muhyiddn Yassin, especially if Muhyiddin were to decide to challenge Najib for the presidency.
But for now, the horse trading in Umno is still taking place, fast and furious, and it is unlikely to settle until much closer to the October 5 dateline for the election of the party's core leadership.
Meanwhile, Umno-controlled newspaper Utusan reported Hisham as saying stiff competition was not new to him and he welcomed contest so long as it was "healthy".
"It can be intense but we must be able to close ranks in the end. Secondly, the competition should be running in a healthy way as all 3 of us are not new to contest. To me there is no difference compared to before, but now awareness is higher," said Hisham.
"All who are interested can compete, no problem. Just do not do something that could split the party, do not do something to weaken UMNO."
We are close, admits Hisham
When asked if he, Zahid and Shafie would strike a pact to stave other challengers, Hisham admitted they had a close relationship but that did not mean they had agreed to contest as a 'team' in the party poll.
"If it (close relationship) is a strength and helps the party, I think that can continue. However, our relationship is not only in the context of competition. Cooperation to pursue position is not our style, our relationship is across the board," said Hisham.
When asked about the comments made recently by Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor that Hisham, Zahid and Shafie should join forces to defend their posts and "protect the unity and integrity of the party", Hisham shaded his answer.
"If Tengku Adnan said that, we are grateful but chasing for posts simply for the sake of positions has no meaning if it is not backed up by the realization that win or lose, all our seeking should be for the purpose of ensuring the party continues to be strong," said Hisham.
Some 145,000 to 150,000 Umno delegates are due to vote on October 5 the post of president, deputy president, 3 vice presidents, 25 supreme council members, the Youth chief post, Women's chief post and the Puteri chief (women's youth) post.
Malaysia Chronicle
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