He said it was “too early” to decide about the vice-presidency. “I have to discuss with the people of Bera first,” he said, according to Astro Awani.

“We will move forward with Bera, the rest can wait. We will discuss this. Just wait for my announcement (on the matter),” he said. Ismail is also MP for Bera, which he has represented since 2004.

He said the Umno general assembly last weekend had decided that the positions of vice-president and below would be open for contest.

He added that the decision seemed to be “final” and that there would be no contest for the positions of president and deputy president.

It had been reported that Umno was split on whether a contest for the top two posts should be held, with some saying it risks dividing the party, and others arguing that it would allow president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy, Mohamad Hasan to prove that they have the support of the grassroots.