Umno Youth: It’s a three-cornered fight…

...for now, that is, when the third contender, former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Khir Toyo, succeeded in obtaining the magic number of 39 (nominations) needed to contest the Umno Youth leadership. (Malaysiakini - Khir makes it a 3-way fight)

MP for Jerlun and Youth exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir is still in the lead with 66 nominations followed by his closest rival, the movement's deputy head, Khairy Jamaluddin, who finally received enough nominations yesterday to contest for the top youth post.

Khairy, the son-in-law of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi, initially considered a favourite among the aspirants, received his 39th and 40th nomination from the Tangga Batu and Gua Musang divisions respectively, surpassing the 39 nominations needed to qualify.

As of yesterday has Khairy has bagged 44 nominations.

Dr Khir , who was still in the running with 12 nominations last week end, picked up his qualifying nomination from the Balik Pulau Umno Youth division in Penang and his 40th nomination from Tanjung Karang division in his home state of Selangor.

The Gua Musang Youth division had previously nominated Dr Khir for the post, but since the meeting was declared null and void, a fresh meeting was called yesterday and Khairy was nominated.

Mukhriz, the son of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, became the first to qualify just two weeks after the 191 Umno Youth divisions began meeting earlier this month.

Latest on nominations for Umno No 1 and No 2 posts: here
Umno youth: here.

Youth Chief: Mukhriz holds the lead in seven states...

… with 40 nominations, including five in his home base of Kedah. (Malaysiakini read here and here )

By the end of the first weekend round of Umno Youth divisions meetings on Sunday, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir, the MP for Jerlun, had 40 nominations, more than the minimum 38 he needed to contest the Umno Youth post.

Yet just a week ago, Mukhriz was in second or even third place after deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and another contender former Selangor Mentri Besar Dr Khir Toyo. But the trend seems to have changed since.

Khairy, (picture right) the son-in-law who is his closest rival, trails with 19 nominations, still 20 short of the necessary number to become eligible for candidacy. The only state clearly backing him is Kelantan, which has handed him four out of five nominations to date. (Read here - Khairy calon ‘pedigree’ meleset menjadi ‘under dog’?)

Nominations for the deputy Umno Youth chief in his home state of Negeri Sembilan - which is said to be solidly behind him - also went to Mukhriz.

To date, three divisions Rasah, Jelebu and Jempul in the state – have nominated Mukhriz to the post.

The Negri Sembilan results must sting for Khairy, the (in)famous son-in-law of Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi..

Mukhriz is also leading in Kedah, Terengganu, Sabah, Pahang, Penang and Johor.

However Mukhriz and Khairy received four nominations each from Perak

Khairy, who has a stronger standing in the rural divisions, seems to have a tough time in the urban division meetings where members are more informed and critical.

"In Setiawangsa, there were jeers from the floor when Khairy’s name was proposed and few were surprised when Mukhriz won with 53 votes against 29 for Dr Khir and 7 for Khairy. Khairy had an even tougher time in Johor although he secured three nominations there. In Tenggara, delegates shouted tak mahu! when his name was proposed. In Batu Pahat, he got only three votes compared to 95 for Khir and 186 for Mukhriz. That is the kind of scenario he is facing in some places." – Jocelyn tan – The Star Tuesday October 14, 2008

Despite the setback, however, Khairy is expected to obtain the nominations to contest the Umno polls next March.

Dr Mohd Khir is still in the running with 12 nominations up to now. He may finish third but is expected to make the cut.

Four of his nominations have come from his home state of Selangor, which also gave Mukhriz three nominations and Khairy one.

Dr Mohd Khir has obtained one nomination from Johor, Sabah and Penang respectively.

The fourth hopeful, Zahidi Zainul Abidin, has only one nomination - from his Padang Besar division in Perlis. He is likely to stay in the race to raise his national profile, even if nominations don’t come his way.

Umno nominations in full swing: Mukhriz & Hishamuddin first to qualify

Reports from Malaysiakini

Jerlun MP Mukhriz Mahathir became the first to qualify for election as Youth chief when he collected 39 nominations leaving his rival, incumbent Youth deputy chief Khairy Jamaluddin, trailing behind with 20 nominations.

Two other contenders, former Selangor menteri besar Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo won 11 nominations, while Perlis Umno liaison deputy president Zahidi Zainul Abidin one (1).

In the race for the No 1 party post, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has received 24 nominations.

International Trade and Industry Minister and front-runner for the No 2 post, Muhyiddin Yassin, has obtained 21 nominations.

Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam has three (3) nominations, while Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib has 2.

Pulai division head Nur Jazlan Muhamed has not received any nominations yet. Neither has Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who offered himself for the No 1 post.

To qualify for election due to be held at the Umno annual general assembly next March, candidates for the No 1 party post need to secure a minimum of 58 nominations, while aspirants for the No 2 post need to have at least 38 nominations.

So far, 11 candidates have received nominations in the race for the Vice-President post. Thirteen 13 aspirants have expressed interest for the party’s third most powerful position.

Outgoing Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein received 23 nominations - making him the first to qualify to contest the post.

Former Youth chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who dropped out of the race for deputy president post, has the second highest nominations at 12.

Sabah Umno deputy chief Shafie Apdal, who suffered an early setback when Kimanis division in his home state did not select him, rebounded with 11 nominations.

Minister of Higher Education Khalid Nordin is next with eight nominations, followed by Home Ministeri Syed Hamid Albar with six, while Foreign Minister Rais Yatim collected five nominations.

Former chief ministers - Mohd Isa Abdul Samad of Negeri Sembilan has four nominations while Shahidan Kassim of Perlis booked three.

Former Minister of Science Technology and Innovation Jamaludin Jarjis and Negeri Sembilan state liasion chief Mohamad Hassan have two nominations each, while Kelantan liaison committee head Annuar Musa has one nomination.

To qualify for election, candidates for the vice presidency need to have at least 19 nominations.

Here’s the full list as of 8pm.


Click the above for an enlarged view.

Mukhriz not quitting

Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir aint quitting. He is staying on in Umno.

Many have expected the Umno Youth executive council member to follow the footstep of his father, former Prime MinisterTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who resigned from the party yesterday, citing dissatisfaction over the current leadership.

But his decision to stay on should not come as a surprise since Mukhriz, who is the MP for Jerlun, is going for the post of Umno Youth chief in December.

Read the full Star report:

Mukhriz not quitting, urges PM to step down (updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno Youth executive council member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he is not resigning from Umno, but reiterated his call for Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi to step down as prime minister and party president.

The Jerlun MP, who is expected to contest for the post of Umno Youth chief in December, had previously called for Abdullah to step down after the March 8 polls that saw the Barisan Nasional coalition losing its two-thirds majority in Parliament.

On Monday, Mukhriz's father, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, resigned from the party, citing his dissatisfaction over the current leadership.

He urged other Umno members to also leave until there was a change in party leadership. Father and son have both attributed -- directly in the case of the former -- Barisan's disappointing performance in the 12th general election to Abdullah.

After the polls, Mukhriz had written a letter to Abdullah urging him to take responsibility for the dismal results, but later denied that he had asked the Prime Minister to quit.

In April, Mukhriz said that a party leadership change should occur by the end of the year so that a tense contest can be avoided during the Umno annual assembly in December.

He said any contest during party polls could further fracture the party, and urged Abdullah to hand over the reins to his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

On Monday, former premier Dr Mahathir announced that he would be quitting the party, much to the surprise of party members nationwide.

Go here for Mukhriz's media statement

Khairy the best candidate for Youth chief post?

“... he is the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader..."

No, I didn’t say that. You gotta be kidding. Someone else did. He is Negri Sembilan Youth chief Datuk Jamlus Aziz.

Remember what Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law, said about contesting for the number one Youth post at the party’s polls in December?

He’s waiting for feedback, he said, and whatever it is”we must elect the best leaders who can continue to effectively lead Umno.”

Ahaa. I knew it. I knew that statement he made was meant for him and for his “men” to respond. Now we have two of them – apple polishers - who think Khairy is the best candidate for the post.

Datuk Jamlus said that Khairy was the best candidate to replace Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein as the movement's leader.

"We will lose out if Khairy is not elected as the Youth chief as he has been groomed to lead the movement. Other than his loyalty to the party, Khairy is also a capable leader," he was quoted as saying to Bernama.

Perak Umno Youth chief Zainol Padzi Paharudin parrot-ed Jamlus: that Khairy was the best candidate to lead the movement as he had shown the leadership traits in his present capacity.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven that he was a leader of calibre, and an effective and loyal deputy to Hishammuddin.

"It will be a waste of his talents if it is not nurtured and polished," he said in a statement yesterday.

Zainol Padzi said Khairy had proven his capability and leadership ability when he led the Umno election machinery in several by-elections, put his skills to good use in thwarting criticisms and did not cow under pressure.

As Khairy had cultivated rapport with Umno Youth divisions, Zainol Padri said the Umno Youth vice-chief would be able to forge closer relationship with the grassroots.

"Khairy is courageous and ferocious in defending the New Economic Policy and Malay rights in line with Umno Youth principles and struggles," said Zainol Padzi.

So far only Dr Mohamad Khir and Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir had announced that they would go for the Umno Youth chief post.

In meantime, former Selangor Menteri besar said he had no objection to Khairy vying for the top post.

"Umno is a democratic party. We can offer ourselves for the post, it's up to members to choose whom they feel should be given the mandate to rehabilitate the party," Dr Mohamad Khir told a press conference here yesterday.

On calls that he should give close attention to Selangor politics rather than contesting the post, Dr Mohamad Khir said the new Selangor Umno liaison committee chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib was entrusted with the responsibility, although he would continue to assist him.

Dr Mohamad Khir said he felt that his experience would put him in good stead to bring the youths closer to the top leadership as there was a big gap between them.

He said more dialogues with the youths should be held to enable them to voice their pent-up feelings.

Dr Mohd Khir, who is blogger now and whose blog has touched more than 180,000 hits since starting on March 28, said most of them wanted Umno to listen to what they have to say with an open heart.

Bernama has the story here.