Muhyiddin Is Deputy President

Mar 26, 09 8:04pm Malaysiakini

MCPX [Reactions below] 10.05pm: Muhyiddin Yassin, who bagged 1,575 votes, defeated Muhammad Muhd Taib (916) in the race for Umno deputy president. After the official announcement was made at 10.40pm, Muhyiddin was swarmed by supporters and press photographers. He is almost certain be appointed deputy prime minister. For the three vice-president posts, the winners are Zahid Hamidi (1,592), Hishammuddin Hussien (1,515) and Shafie Apdal (1,445). All the winners are seen to be loyal to incoming prime minister Najib Abdul Razak. Najib had yesterday suffered a setback when outgoing PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's son-in-law, 33-year-old Khairy Jamaluddin, seized the position of chief of Umno's youth wing - a nurturing ground for future leaders. In another high-profile contest, former cabinet minister and political veteran Rafidah Aziz was knocked out as leader of Umno's women's wing, in favour of her deputy Shahrizat Jalil, who is another ally of Abdullah. DEPUTY PRESIDENT Muhyiddin Yassin - Pagoh, Johor (1,575 votes) Muhammad Muhd Taib - Kelana Jaya, Selangor (916) VICE-PRESIDENT (3 posts) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi - Bagan Datok, Perak (1,592) Hishammuddin Hussein - Sembrong, Johor (1,515) Mohd Shafie Apdal - Semporna, Sabah (1,445) Mohamed Khaled Nordin - Pasir Gudang, Johor (1,397) Rais Yatim - Jelebu, Negri Sembilan (491) Mohd Isa Abdul Samad - Telok Kemang, Negri Sembilan (432) Syed Hamid Syed Jaafar Albar - Kota Tinggi, Johor (410) Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik - Masjid Tanah, Malacca (192) REACTIONS Muhyiddin Yassin This is a big responsibility and I will carry out my task to the best of my ability to work with Najib. I urge everyone - winners or losers - to remain united for the sake of party unity. We want to show that Umno, in whatever conditions, will take care of the Malay people, as well as all Malaysians in general. I give my assurance that I will work hard and will remain loyal to Najib. I believe the delegates are very mature and they know that deputy president's post is something significant and important. They know that this means Umno's business and they were looking to see who can assist the president-cum-prime minister. I believe they (the delegates) have made all the assessment based on my experience and I do thank them for what they have done. Muhammad Muhd Taib (who lost deputy president's post): I accept the decision of the delegates. I will continue to serve the party in any capacity. There will always be a winner and a loser in any contest. To me, I have no deep regrets. I accept it as the decision of the delegates. Umno must move on. What is important is to close party ranks to face current challenges and regain the people's support for Umno. When asked if all the winners were from Najib's camp, Muhammad responded with a laugh: "No! Umno's camp." Ahmad Zahid Hamidi I am thankful that the members have placed their trust to elect me. Now it is my duty to work in closing ranks with the party members in a bid to strengthen the party. I agree we have a difficult task ahead of us to strengthen the party, but with hard work and commitment from everyone, especially the winning candidates and party members, we can build this party to where it was once before. My win comes with a heavy responsibility and I will try and fulfil it to the best of my abilities. Hishammuddin Hussein I am thankful for the win and promise not to betray the trust that the delegates and members have placed on me. It is a chance for me to contribute further to the party that I love. Furthermore, I am thankful that members do not believe on the allegations made against me by various quarters, especially by the opposition. This is a sure and winning line-up (referring to the three winning vice-presidents) and we would work hard with the incoming president to build and strengthen the party. Shafie Apdal This is an important win for Sabah as this showed that a member from the state is able to garner the support of the people not only from East Malaysia but also from Peninsular Malaysia. My victory also proved the untruth in the opposition's allegations that a candidate from Sabah would be marginalised by Umno. I will work hard with the party president, deputy president and the other vice-presidents to rebuild the party. There is a much work ahead of us, and I am relishing to the task ahead. Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik (who came out last in the veep race) It is a difficult loss but considering I was the last to qualify as a candidate, it is nevertheless an achievement. I think the delegates have decided on Ahmad Zahid, Hishammuddin and Shafie. It seemed certain that this team would win. It is difficult when they have decided on a fixed team. Earlier tonight 9.10pm: The latest word is that two certain winners for the vice-president post are Zahid Hamidi and Shafie Apdal. The race for the third and final slot is a battle between Khaled Nordin and Hishammuddin Hussein. The race for the deputy president's race between Muhyiddin and Muhammad Taib is still too close to call. However both their supporters are claiming that their man is in the lead. And for the supreme council seat, Azalina Othman Said is said to be very happy after hearing that she had retained her seat. A total of 51 candidates are contesting for 25 places. 8.05pm: With the counting for the party polls going on for about 90 minutes now, word has it that Muhyiddin Yassin is leading the race to the deputy president. The other candidate for the race is Muhammad Muhd Taib. As for the vice-president's post, delegates are also saying that most of them have voted for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Mohd Shafie Apdal and Khaled Nordin. The early favourite for this race, Hishammuddin Hussein, is said to be lagging behind. The other candidates for the veep race are Rais Yatim, Mohd Isa Abdul Samad, Syed Hamid Syed Jaafar Albar and Abdul Rahim Tamby Chik.