KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob became the top contender for the prime minister’s post after party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi withdrew from the race, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

       The Umno secretary-general said Ahmad Zahid made known his decision during the Umno supreme council meeting on Tuesday night.

       There were also a meeting among Umno lawmakers, as well as the party’s political bureau meeting on the same day.

       “He (Ahmad Zahid) did not want to be nominated,” Ahmad told reporters after a three-hour meeting with top PAS leadership at Menara Datuk Onn yesterday.

       At the press conference, Ahmad was accompanied by PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, PAS vice-president Idris Ahmad and central committee member and Kuala Nerus MP Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Aman Razali.

       Representing Umno during the meeting were Barisan Nasional adviser Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Barisan secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

       Ahmad said Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan came in second but he did not fulfil the criteria as he was not a federal lawmaker.

       “So we selected the number three (in the party hierarchy) who is also the former deputy prime minister,” he said.

       Ahmad also said Ismail Sabri had vast experience, including as a senior minister and Opposition Leader.

       “I think he is the most suitable in the list of candidates,” he added.

       Asked if the framework of the next government would be similar to the Perikatan Nasional administration, the Pontian MP said the matter was not brought up during the meeting.

       “The government will be a new one. Before this, we had Pakatan Harapan. Then, Perikatan. This is a ‘Malaysian government’,” he said.