Insiders say the real fight is between Zahid and Khairy.
- Ku Li has a peerless track record, but Umno remembers that he could not beat Dr Mahathir before
- Zahid remains popular, but he is inextricably linked to Najib and the latter’s flood of scandals
- Khairy’s biggest disadvantage is that his elevation would not follow the natural progression from Umno Youth chief to vice-president and, eventually, the deputy presidency or even the presidency
Although all eyes are on Umno acting chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah in the race for party president, insiders say the real fight is between Ahmad Zahid and Khairy.
As for the other candidates in the seven-man tussle, the keenest in the party’s history due to the lowering of the bar to contest for the top posts, the insiders say they are merely also-rans, Sin Chew Daily reported today.
The others in the fray are blogger Rahmat Azim Abdul Aziz, Rosile Saat, Mohamad Iqbal Maricair and Yusof Musa.
“Razaleigh came on the scene at the behest of grassroots who wanted to see contest for the top post because initially, Ahmad Zahid was the only known candidate for the post.”
Analysts within the party said it is difficult to say for sure who will win.
“If Umno wants fresh ideas that come with new blood, Khairy will have the edge.
“But based (on) observation, many party members act as if the party is still in power at the federal level; they enjoy talking about the party polls and like to find fault with the candidates.
“They criticised Ahmad Zahid when he announced his candidacy. They also criticised Tengku Razaleigh and Khairy. (We) don’t know what they (party members) really want. It is hard to predict who would win the top post,” they opined.
Party insiders who do not see Tengku Razaleigh as having an equal chance in the contest said the veteran, who only holds the post of division chief, has been out of the party core for too long and is out of touch with all that is happening in the party.
On the other hand, Ahmad Zahid and Khairy both truly understand party issues well and are seen as capable of bringing changes to Umno. – The Sun Daily