KUALA LUMPUR: Umno vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said he would announce later today whether to defend his vice presidency.

When contacted by Sin Chew Daily, Ismail said he would soon announce whether he would contest in Umno’s election.

It has been said that Ismail has no intention to defend his Umno vice president post in the coming election.

A source said at least nine party leaders are vying for the three vice president posts, including incumbent vice presidents Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir, incumbent Umno Youth chief Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Datuk Seri Annuar Musa, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani and Datuk Seri Hasni Mohammad.