Zahid and deputy president Mohamad Hasan retained their posts for another term last year after the Umno general assembly passed a motion for the top two posts not to be contested.

However, today, he said he will leave it to the party’s general assembly next month, and the Umno Supreme Council, to decide whether the top two posts should be contested at the next party elections, Sinar Harian reported.

“I am very open about this. But rather than focusing on competition (within Umno), what is more important is that the party must remain relevant and stand strong,” he said.

“When the time comes, the party elections will proceed as usual. According to Umno’s constitution, party elections must be held every three years, so the next one should be in 2026.

“However, there is a clause that allows the elections to be postponed for up to 18 months, depending on decisions reached by the Supreme Council and general assembly.”

Zahid, who is also the deputy prime minister, said the party will ensure that any decision regarding the top two posts being contested will comply with the party’s constitution and other relevant regulations.

Yesterday, the Tenggara Umno division meeting in Kota Tinggi, Johor, approved three resolutions – including for the president and deputy president’s posts to be contested at the next party polls.

Former Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil also called for Mohamad to challenge Zahid for the party’s top post. Isham was responding to Mohamad reportedly saying that he was ready to defend his deputy president’s post.