KUALA LUMPUR: Umno leaders appointed to the unity government as ministers and deputy ministers will most probably continue their support for Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in defending his party presidential post.
Political analyst Prof Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani from Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) said this was more apparent after the appointment of Zahid as the deputy prime minister recently, as well as other ministers among his loyal supporters.
If the Bagan Datuk member of parliament was able to convince the party grassroots that the decision made to be with Pakatan Harapan would strengthen Umno, Mohd Azizuddin said he had a strong possibility of defending his position in the party election, to be held latest by May next year.
"As Zahid has a post in the government, this will give him the advantage and power, especially the position he is holding as the deputy prime minister.
"In Umno, supporters and grassroot leaders will slant towards choosing an individual with authority and high-ranking position in the government to lead the party," he told Berita Harian.
This, he said, was strengthened by the fact that other top Umno leaders were also appointed in the unity government, including party deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Hasan as the defence minister and secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan who has returned as the deputy finance minister.
A total 11 Umno leaders have been appointed as ministers and deputy ministers in the newly-formed unity government.
Umno is also represented by vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Also listed were Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, former finance minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz; Siti Aminah Aching (Beaufort MP), Datuk Abdul Rahman Mohamad (Lipis MP), Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (Lenggong MP) and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Kimanis MP).
Previously, Khairy Jamaluddin, who is former Rembau MP, had openly expressed support for Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to contest for the president post if he remained as the prime minister post 15th general election (GE15).
In an interview, the former health minister was reported as saying he had a discussion with Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein on candidates to contest for Umno deputy president post.