Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced he will contest the Umno presidency, a day after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he would not defend the post.

Separately, Umno information chief Muhammad Muhammad Taib offered himself as a candidate for the deputy presidency, while former Youth chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has decided to drop out of the race even before it begins.

muhyiddin yassin and najib and umno Another heavyweight, vice-president and International Trade and Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is widely expected to announce his candidacy tomorrow.

With Zahid's withdrawal, Muhyiddin is now seen as a sure bet to go for the No 2 post.

Earlier there was some talk Muhyiddin might be forced to go for broke and challenge Najib for the top post.

Party watchers believe there was overcrowding for the deputy post, leaving Muhyiddin with little choice but to consider the presidency, unless some of the other candidates pull out.

So far, for the No 1 post, only Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has declared his interest in challenging Najib.

Umno incumbent president Abdullah had yesterday announced he would not defend his post, clearing the way for Najib to move up the ladder, and in turn leaving the No 2 post open to contest.

By convention, the Umno president and deputy president respectively become the prime minister and deputy prime minister.

Mat Taib promises stability

umno supreme council special meeting 260809 taib Better known as Mat Taib or even by his nickname of Tyson, Muhammad (right) promised to help stabilise Umno and pledged loyalty to the next president.

A former Selangor menteri besar, he has been regarded by insiders to be a staunch loyalist of Abdullah's.

"I am offering myself for the party because the position is vacant," he told Malaysiakini in a phone interview.

"I think I can contribute to the stability of the party. I think Umno needs to reinforce its strength and become a stronger party.

"I don't want to see a leadership tussle and I think I would not create an upheaval situation in the party. I am a party loyalist to all the past presidents and I will be loyal to the future president."

Born in Kampung Sungai Manggis in Hulu Selangor, Muhammad is a graduate of Universiti Malaya and a former school teacher, who joined the party in 1964. He was elected as vice-president and Selangor deputy liaison committee head in 2004.

In 1997 at the height of his power as Selangor chief minister, Muhammad was forced to quit after being charged in Australia for allegedly holding currency worth RM3.8 million.

He was found not guilty and appointed a senator in 2006 by Abdullah.

Zahid drops out, makes room for Muhyiddin

Election for the top posts in the country's largest political party are due to be held next March, but division meetings to nominate candidates officially begin today and will continue up to Nov 9.

ahmad zahid hamidi Machang and Kimanis are reported to be among the first divisions to hold their delegate conferences, followed by Besut on Saturday.

In a move widely perceived as making room for Muhyiddin to tighten his grip on the No 2 post, Zahid confirmed his withdrawal late this afternoon, citing unity and respect for Najib as his reasons.

“I wish to state my support and undivided loyalty for Najib, who has been given the trust by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to take over the party leadership,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

Meanwhile, vice-president and Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and Pulai division head Nur Jazlan Mohamed are still in the chase for the party's second most powerful post.

Others may drop out too

However, pundits said they would not be surprised if they and other leaders previously tipped to join the bandwagon changed their minds now that Zahid had withdrawn.

Vice-president Mohd Isa Abdul Samad and Foreign Affairs Minister Rais Yatim were believed to have been keen.

umno polling dates and quota for 2008 party polls 250908 march 2009 "Zahid's pulling out confirms that Najib will team up with Muhyiddin," a party watcher said. "So they might feel it would be better to focus on the three vice-president posts."

Zahid's surprise entry last week had sparked talk that Muhyiddin's chances might be dimmed.

Muhyiddin's supporters were upset as they feared Najib might opt to endorse his former political secretary.

"Muhyiddin might feel he could end up with nothing if Ahmad Zahid doesn't pull out," political analyst Khoo Kay Peng told Malaysiakini .

"Najib doesn't have to publicly endorse Zahid, he just needs to spread the word quietly through the grapevine and Muhyiddin's chances can be reduced.

"However, we believe there are already ongoing negotiations and if Zahid can be persuaded to drop out, then Muhyiddin will announce his candidacy for No 2."