The race for Umno deputy president's post seems to be the hottest topic now with four party members from varying backgrounds offering their candidacy as of today.

In fact the number would have been five if Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had not backed out. The last to join the fray is vice president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Other than Muhyiddin, those who have shown interest for the deputy's post are vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Ali Rustam, Pulai division chief Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib.

However, the number of people vying for the deputy's post pales compared with the 13 vying for the vice president's post at the party elections in March.

Party members, leaders and political observers welcome the contest and it is the clearest indication of the democratic principles prevaling in the party.

Unprecedented Race

However, some party members were disappointed that Mohamed Ali, Nur Jazlan Mohamed and Ahmad Zahid jumped the gun by making their intentions known even before party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi decided his fate in the party.

Furthermore, two of them, Ahmad Zahid and Nur Jazlan are not among those from the higher echelons of the party thus buckling the party tradition where only vice presidents made the progression to the deputy's post.

While Muhyiddin waited for the party president and deputy president's decision before announcing his own decision today, he is known as the one largely responsible in hastening the power transition in the party.

Abdullah on Wednesday announced that he wouldnt be defending the president's post during the party's general assembly in March thus paving the way for Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to rise to power.

The race for the deputy president's post now has eclipsed the power transition between Abdullah and Najib itself.

Political pundits are keeping a close watch on the deputy president's race as the number two man in Umno will also be the number two man in the government, and eventually may end up as the president.

The frenzy over the deputy president's race has cast aside, at least temporarily, the possibility of Najib being challenged for the president's post. It was speculated earlier that Gua Musang division chief and Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah would take the challenge.

Quota System Hurdle?

The deputy president's post last witnessed a contest more than two decades ago, in 1987 when Tun Ghafar Baba defeated the incumbent Tun Musa Hitam.

But the road ahead for the aspirants is certainly not going to be easy, especially when it is a crowded field.

There was a time that anyone could easily vie for any senior positions in the party but with more members jostling for positions, the party leadership introduced some measures to keep the contestant numbers in check.

To ensure that not every Tom, Dick and Harry fight for these positions, the bonus votes were introduced giving 10 votes for the contender for every nomination.

The deputy president who benefited from this is current PKR defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who easily ousted Tun Ghafar in 1993 even at the nomination stage forcing the latter to bow out honourably.

In 1996 a quota system was introduced whereby those keen to contest for the presidents post should garner a minimum of 30 percent or 58 nominations (from the 191 Umno divisions), deputy president (20 percent or 38 nominations), vice president (10 percent or 19 nominations and supreme council (5 percent or 10 nomination).

Najib today reiterated that the quota system would remain.

The Quota System Prevents Overcrowding

Yet this quota system has never been put to test for the selection of deputy president, as the post has not seen any contest hitherto unlike the posts of vice presidents and supreme council presidents.

For the president's post, though there was no vacancy, it was put to test in 2004 when Tengku Razaleigh attempted to take on Abdullah but the challenger failed to garner the numbers needed.

Nevertheless, there are voices of discontent on the quota system and there have been calls for its abolishment to level the playing field for all.

But on a close scrutiny, obtaining 38 nominations from 191 divisions is no Herculean task, especially when only four or five people are in the race.

The quota system serves as an effective filter to prevent overcrowding of contestants in the race and at the same time the minimum nominations provide a yardstick over the candidates popularity.

Wanita Umno Chief Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz told Bernama that she is sceptical over the quota system's ability to filter the candidates especially when money politics is involved.

Money Politics Bane

She warned that the money politics would only make matters worst when the contestants buy their way even when they are not fit for the position.

"I fear that if money can be used to buy the quota and positions, thus Umno would lose its dignity and credibility in the eyes of its members and the society as a party that is capable to lead the government," said the Kuala Kangsar Parliament member and a veteran of the party and the government.

Rafidah also doesn't want to hear cynical remarks and negative comments regarding the current `free for all' race for the top positions in Umno.

Umno Youth Executive Committee member Datuk Idris Haron felt that the quota system helps to ensure that only those who are qualified and capable are elected.

"This is where the quota system is needed to prevent every Tom, Dick and Harry, division heads or division committee members joining the fray just because their friends have indicated support," he said.

On the contest for the number two slot, the Tangga Batu Parliament member said there is no reason why there should not be a crowded field.

If the candidates are analysed closely, except for Nur Jazlan, the rest are vice-presidents, former vice president and a former youth chief a position that equals to the vice president.

"The focus now is definitely on the deputy president's post with Najib vacating the post for the president's post. Thus there will be a contest and those who have offered themselves are all qualified and experienced," he added.

As for Nur Jazlan, Idris noted that as a newcomer the quota system would serve him as a good yardstick for his political career. In the event he succeeds in obtaining the 38 nominations, it is a clear testimony that he has the clout and is qualified to contest.

Idris said members should not be pessimistic that the quota too could be bought through money politics.

At the end of the day, he noted that the quota system ensures a healthy race as only those with capabilities and the trust of the people are nominated and elected. (By ROHANA MUSTAFFA/ Bernama)