> Muhyiddin goes for 2

Umno vice-president Muhyiddin Yassin has declared his candidacy for the deputy president’s post in the party elections next March.

“With the support of Umno leaders, I am confident of winning,” he told a packed press conference in a Putrajaya hotel this morning.

“My chances are very good. Insha' Allah with the support from delegates and leaders - some of them are here to give moral support - I will be able to make it,” he added.

Some 40 divisional leaders, mainly from Johor and Pahang, were with him at the press conference. Muhyiddin is a former Johor mentri besar and has served as the MP for Pagoh in Johor for several terms.

The international trade and industry minister’s announcement did not come as a surprise. The 61-year-old Umno stalwart has been touted as the best running mate for prime minister-designate Najib Abdul Razak who announced his candidacy for the president’s post yesterday.

Asked if he was Najib’s running mate, Muhyiddin replied, “that is not for me to say”.

However, he said his decision to contest was based on the belief that Najib will become the new party president.

“My decision to contest was made after considering my strong belief that Umno will be led by Najib as the new president because the party needs a strong and united leadership to face current challenges,” he said.

Muhyiddin also expressed confidence that he would have a good working relationship with Najib if he (Muhyiddin) was elected deputy president as “I have been working with him for a long time.”

Two days ago, party president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi confirmed that he would not be defending his post, and has designated Najib as his ideal successor.

Apart from Muhyiddin, other leaders going for the No 2 slot are vice-president Mohd Ali Rustam, Umno information chief Muhammad Muhd Taib and newcomer Nur Jazlan Mohamed.

By convention, the deputy president of the party also becomes the deputy prime minister.

Restore confidence in Umno

Muhyiddin was confident that his partnership with Najib would be able to regain the people’s trust and confidence towards Umno.

“It is important that we have a strong, united stand to (make that happen),” he said.

Muhyiddin was also the first Umno leader to request that Abdullah steps down earlier than 2010 and has since been labelled as the most ‘vocal’ among the Umno hierarchy.

He however asserted that he would only be vocal towards Najib if there are pressing issues that needed to be addressed if they were to work together.

“I think it is not a matter of being vocal. I have never been vocal. I was of course (only being vocal) for a reason as I was actually concerned for the Malays and Malaysians on what’s happening in the country,” he said.        

One of Johor's most famous sons, Muhyiddin can expect a smooth trail in garnering nominations for his bid. Johor has the most number of Umno divisions - 27.

If all 27 divisions nominate him, he only needs 11 others to put his name up for contest.

On fellow Johorean Nur Jazlan's bid for the same position, Muhyiddin brushed aside the notion that Johor votes would be split between them.

“I do not think so. I may also get some votes from that (Jazlan’s) division too,” he said with a laugh. 

Asked what makes him stand out from the other deputy presidential contenders, Muhyiddin replied tongue-in cheek, “because I am Muhyiddin Yassin,” drawing laughter and cheers from supporters present - Malaysiakini.