Kedah-powered team backed by Mahathir set to RUMBLE UMNO POLLS

It seems like Umno leaders who hailed from Kedah are ready to crash Umno upcoming party election with state Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir and Langkawi Umno Youth chief Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi announcing they are vying for the position of vice president and youth chief respectively.

Mukhriz, in a grand announcement yesterday, said he made the decision after receiving much advice and suggestions from others.

Judging from how his team celebrated his announced with a slogan in hand - “Berani Berubah” and a nicely design logo M4VP (Mukhriz for VP) for Mukhriz’s campaign, it is hard to believe that Mukhriz only made up his mind yesterday.

Berani Berubah

Earlier, Mukhriz’s father Dr Mahathir Mohamad in an opinion piece published in Mingguan Malaysia, had urged the older generation of Umno leaders, who were tainted with corruption, to make way for the younger generation.

Mahathir argued that it was the only way to save Umno from dying.

Before Mukhriz announced his candidacy, Umno vice president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had told off all vice president aspirants to get consent from Umno president Najib Razak should they wish to contest.

For Mukhriz, the consent from his father would be more than enough.

Zahid at threat?

Among the three serving vice presidents, namely Zahid, Hishamuddin Hussein and Shafie Apdal, Zahid seemed to be the most vulnerable.

Along with contestants like Felda chairman Isa Samad and former Malacca chief minister Ali Rustam, the chances of Zahid defending his vice president post looks extremely slim with Mukhriz entering the race.

Hishamuddin, with his family relationship with Najib and Shafie, with the full support from East Malaysia should be able to retain their position without much fuss.

Zahid has been trying hard to win over votes from hardcore Umno members by portraying himself as a daring and tough talking Home Minister. Let’s see if his strategy will score any points from him.

KJ to face Sanusi's son

Meanwhile, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who once expected a smooth sailing to retain his position, is now being challenged from four individuals.

Besides Akhramsyah, Merbok Umno division Youth chief Karim Ali and Taman Chempaka branch Youth assistant secretary Syed Rosli Syed Harman Jamalullail will also challenge Khairy.

Akhramsyah is the son of well-known Mahathir loyalist Sanusi Junid, who once served as Umno secretary general.

Five years ago, Khairy, despite being warned by party disciplinary committee of playing money politics, managed to stave off challenges from Mukhriz and former Selangor Menteri Besar Mohd Khir Toyo to become the leader of Umno Youth.

With Mahathir still looming at large, Khairy should know better what’s coming in front of him.

Will Kedah Umno leaders dominate Umno polls? With Mahathir as their main strategist, it’s hard to ignore the endless possibilities.