Muhyiddin Yassin will face challenges from deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir and another party member for the Bersatu presidency.
The party’s election committee chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar told a press conference today that there are no contenders for the party’s chairman post whose incumbent is Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Dr Mahathir had vowed to stay on and fight to save the party from those willing to work with “kleptocratic Umno leaders”, a clear reference to Muhyiddin.
“For the president’s position the candidates are incumbent Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, current deputy president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir and (Cheras Bersatu chief) Mohd Faiz Azlee Sham.
“For the deputy president post there are three candidates — secretary general Datuk Marzuki Yahya, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faisal Azumu and Anas Akashah Nazri,” said Syed Hamid.
Apparently, Marzuki was seconded by Dr Mahathir himself while Mukhriz was seconded by his brother Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir.
It was also reported that Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman has submitted his nomination papers to defend his position as Bersatu Youth chief.
The former youth and sports minister is expected to face a three-cornered fight against exco Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal and Mohd Muzammil Ismail.