D-Day for Umno

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysians are gearing up for a politically charged weekend.

Over 146,000 members of the ruling party UMNO will be voting on three vice-presidents as well as a 25-member Supreme Council, the party's highest decision making body.

This comes a week after sweeping victories for both incumbent leaders of the youth and women wings.

UMNO's Supreme Council is sometimes described as Malaysia's third parliament because it is said to be able to influence government policies, with its members also standing a better chance of joining the Cabinet.

A total of 62 candidates are vying for 25 coveted seats in the Supreme Council. It is a crowded race, but the one that is the most fiercely fought and keenly watched this Saturday is the six-cornered fight for the UMNO vice-presidency.

There are three VP seats and one incumbent, Home Minister Zahid Hamidi, is tipped to be a clear winner, leaving five candidates vying for the two remaining spots.

Kedah Chief Minister Mukhriz Mahathir, who is the youngest candidate, is eyeing one of the spots. Some say he is riding on his father’s -- former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed -- coat-tails but he denies any special advantage.

Mukhriz said: "Technically it's 50/50, because there are six candidates for three posts. I'm still optimistic."

Two old timers -- former Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and former Negri Sembilan Chief Minister Mohd Isa Samad -- are also joining the fray.

But if last weekend's elections are anything to go by, delegates may opt to maintain the status quo, as observers say they do not seem to be in the mood for change, having re-elected the chiefs of the women and youth wings.

Head of Research at RAM Dr Yeah Kim Leng said: "If the line-up is maintained, that would give the prime minister a stronger hand in terms of determining the future direction of the country.

“Of course if there are surprises, then I think his position may be slightly weakened because of his need to accommodate the changes in the second or third echelons of the leadership."

However, incumbent vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein may find it hard to retain his post.

He is battling a negative perception about his track record when he was home minister, being seen as slow in his response towards the Lahad Datu rebel intrusion.

KRA Group political analyst Keith Leong said: "He's the son... of our third Prime Minister, the nephew of the second Prime Minister, the cousin of the current Prime Minister. If he loses this time, it will be quite a blow."

The fate of Mr Hishammuddin lies in the hands of over 146,000 delegates, who will be voting for the first time under a new system in the party's 67-year history.

- CNA