He said the names proposed for certain posts yesterday by Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin were merely suggested candidates and the party will leave it to the grassroots to decide, if there are any contests, Bernama reported.

“We will still open (party posts) to be contested but the delegates have agreed to a spirit of consultation and good negotiations.

“It is still an open contest,” he said at a press conference after a briefing in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah today.

Kiandee said deputy president Ahmad Faizal Azumu “showed great humility” by agreeing to step down and contest for a vice-president’s post instead.

Faizal confirmed today that he will not defend his post at the party polls and will give way to Hamzah Zainudin to be the new deputy president.

Berita Harian reported him as saying he is doing so with an open heart after having discussed the matter with Muhyiddin.

Yesterday, Muhyiddin said Faizal would step down as deputy president and run for one of the three vice-president’s post instead.

He said former Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali will be offered Hamzah’s secretary-general’s post given his ability and political experience.

Muhyiddin had also commented in a speech at the opening of the Bersatu convention yesterday that the party polls would likely see no competition for the top posts, following negotiations among the leadership.

Meanwhile, when asked about Bersatu’s preparations for the 17th Sabah state elections, Sabah Bersatu chief Kiandee said the party would contest under Perikatan Nasional, but added that it is too early to make any decisions regarding cooperation with other parties.