Speaking to FMT, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara and Awang Azman Pawi of Universiti Malaya described RoS’ decision as a blow to anti-Zahid camps in Umno.

“Zahid now has the power to choose his candidates for the state polls, not just the ones who can win, but also the ones aligned with him,” Azmi said.

Awang Azman said: “Anti-Zahid or pro-Perikatan Nasional groups will not be selected to contest in the coming state elections because they are viewed as a threat to the party and also the unity government.”

Last Saturday, Zahid revealed that the home ministry, which oversees RoS, had written to Umno to state that the no-contest motion vis-a-vis the party presidency and deputy presidency did not break any rule or contradict any clause in the party’s constitution.

Last month, two Umno members lodged a report with RoS claiming that the tabling of the motion at the Umno general assembly had breached Article 10 of the party’s constitution.

Azmi said those who had been sacked from Umno or members who had decided against contesting in the party elections had lost the opportunity to change the party’s status quo.

“For instance, Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s decision not to defend his position is a big loss for the anti-Zahid camps and those who are not satisfied with the no-contest motion,” he said.

Awang Azman said the sacked Umno members could now only hope that their allies inside the party would win against those aligned with Zahid so they could put pressure on his leadership.

Polling for the Wanita, Youth and Puteri leadership posts will be on March 11. Division officials, vice- presidents and members of the Supreme Council will be elected on March 18.