By Florence A. Samy

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia: The major battle for the Umno deputy president's post is taking shape with two party leaders offering themselves for the post and a few others expected to join in the race in coming days.

Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam announced yesterday that they would be contesting the party's number-two post.

Party vice-president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and several others are expected to also go for the post.

Mohd Ali said in Malacca that he wanted to help the party president continue with policies and programmes to develop the people and the country. He said he was going for the post as it would be vacant.

Muhammad, speaking at a press conference at the Selangor Umno building in Shah Alam, said: "I am offering to contest the deputy president's post because I want to help the party president strengthen and rebuild Umno."

Muhammad, who was a former Selangor Mentri Besar, said he had enough nominations to stand as a candidate.

Being the first person from the Selangor Umno to contest the deputy presidency, Muhammad said he was confident of getting the support from all 22 divisions in the state.

"I offer myself as a leader who can bring unity to the party, my track record shows I've never gone against my leaders, but this does not mean I'm a kaki ampu (one who butters up someone)."

Muhyiddin is expected to announce his intention to contest today at a hotel in Putrajaya.

As an indication that he would go for the number-two post, Muhyiddin called on all the 191 Umno divisions in the country yesterday to back deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the top post at a function in Kelantan.

Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has pulled out of the race.

He said in a statement yesterday that he would vie for the vice-presidency instead.

"For the sake of unity and respect for Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, I have decided to go for the vice-president's post," he said in a statement.

The other person who has offered himself as candidate is Pulai MP Nur Jazlan Mohamad.

He made the announcement last Sunday and said Umno had to demonstrate to younger voters that the party was serious about change.