PETALING JAYA: Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stands a chance to be prime minister if Barisan Nasional wins the election, says a commentator.

Caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob might not be the prime minister as Barisan Nasional did not discuss about the candidacy of prime minister, according to BN treasurer-general Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

The Umno Supreme Council decided in a meeting in April to make Ismail Sabri the prime minister candidate for the next election, but a similar announcement has not been made by BN.

On the candidacy of prime minister from the three main political coalitions, political commentator Tan Seng Keat, a research manager with the Merdeka Center, is of the view that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the prime minister candidate for Pakatan Harapan and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for Perikatan Nasional.

For Barisan Nasional, Tan sees that there could be changes.

Judging from the change of Johor Menteri Besar at the last minute, there could be changes despite the pledges made before the election.

“Ismail Sabri may not be the prime minister candidate for Barisan Nasional,” he said.

Such uncertainty has placed BN in a disadvantaged position.

“Under the power structure of Umno, the party president stands a chance.

“Based on past cases, the Umno president will still want to be prime minister,” he said.

Tan cited the case in which Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad, Johor Menteri Besar before the state election, was dropped at the eleventh hour after BN won the state election.

“Although an announcement has been made that Ismail Sabri will be the next prime minister, change is still possible,” he said.

If Ahmad Zahid wins in the election, he can still be prime minister as long as he has not been convicted.

“Even if he is found guilty after winning the election, he can still appeal,” Tan said.

Ahmad Zahid has been acquitted of 40 charges of receiving bribes from a company to extend its foreign visa system contract.

In January, he was ordered by the high court to enter defense for 12 charges of criminal breach of trust, eight corruption charges and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit in relation to Yayasan Akalbudi (YAB) funds.

Another political commentator Dr. James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, said the prime minister candidates would be confirmed after nomination.

BN had not decided whether Ahmad Zahid or Ismail Sabri should be the next prime minister, he said.

“People in Umno gave me two names, Ahmad Zahid and Ismail Sabri. The candidate will only be announced after nomination,” he said.

In an interview with Sin Chew Daily, Chin said the prime minister candidate for Perikatan Nasional is also not confirmed.

“Muhyiddin indicated that he wanted to retire. It will be clearer after nomination,” he said.