Certain Sabah Umno groups here claimed that Zahid might challenge deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin for the post at the Umno general assembly in October.
“Zahid may go for the deputy post but all is still open as of now. We will wait until Sept 21 when nominations for the posts pick up steam,” a leader told FMT.
Some Umno leaders in Sabah said it would not be a surprise if some divisions in the state start proposing Zahid for the post though on surface everybody seem to be agreeable that there should be no contest for the top two posts in Umno.
According to these groups, some in Sabah and also in the peninsula are not too pleased that Muhyiddin appeared to be too pro-Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the former premier who many believe still wields enough clout in Umno.
They also claimed that Sabah with a large number of delegates could tilt the balance in Zahid’s favour if his fellow delegates in Perak go along with a decision to go for the number two post.
Zahid is known to be ambitious and at one time was a right-hand man of then rising former Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim before the latter fell out with Mahathir.
Asked if there is a possibility that Zahid has formed his own groups in several states, including Perak and Sabah, the leader said the home minister was in pole position to provide an alternative to Muhyiddin who they claimed was falling behind and reluctant to stamp his mark.
“That would also make it easier for delegates to decide on the vice- presidents,” said a Sabah Umno leader, adding that Zahid could be making his rounds in Sabah and several states in the peninsula soon.
Umno has three elected vice-presidents. Besides Zahid, the other two are Shafie Apdal of Sabah and Hishammuddin Hussein from Johor.
By Luke Rintod
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