The Malaysian Insight

ONE of Malaysia’s oldest political dynasties could end today with Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein likely to announce to a decision not to contest in the upcoming party elections.

Sources said Hishammuddin has been having second thoughts about continuing in a senior position of the party of his father and grandfather following its dismal showing in the 14^th general election.

The 57-year-old former defence minister is expected to announce the decision after a meeting in Johor today where he will meet with the party’s grassroots.

In recent days, he has told senior Umno leaders of his desire to just serve as an MP.‎ If he follows the heart and confirms the decision not to contest the deputy president’s post, it will be the first time in decades that Umno is not being served by one of its blue-blood families.

In the past, there was at least one leader carrying the Razak, Hussein or Mahathir name.

Hishammuddin is the son of former Umno president and prime minister Hussein Onn, who was in turn the son of its first president and co-founder Onn Jaafar.

Hishammuddin has taken on the duties of deputy president after his predecessor, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, became the interim president two weeks ago, following the resignation of party president Najib Razak, who took responsibility for Umno’s losses in GE14.

The Malay party retained only 54 out of 88 parliamentary seats it won in GE13. The Barisan Nasional coalition it led did not win enough seats to form the federal government.

The historic loss has floored the 71-year-old party and has caused soul-searching within its ranks, with some members wondering if the slate of current leaders has the charisma or ideas to revive the party.

As a result, the party’s polls this year will be the most fiercely fought as every member, from former ministers to the lowest branch members, want a shot at reviving the party.

While some leaders have openly expressed a desire to back a Zahid-Hishammuddin team-up for the top two posts, other senior leaders have already thrown their hats in the ring.

Some divisions have nominated former finance minister and Kelantan prince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to contest the presidency, while a former Negri Sembilan menteri besar is reportedly going for the deputy’s post. – June 8, 2018.