SHAH ALAM - Umno needs to take corrective step by opening the competition for the two highest posts in the party.
Former Umno youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar stated that the Umno constitution requires these positions to be elected every three years.
In a TikTok video, Khairy shared his opinion after Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, in a statement earlier, said that the exemption was granted under Section 70 of the Societies Act of 1966.
"A letter from the Registrar of Societies' (RoS) director general, Mohd Nawardi Saad to the Umno secretary general, Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan which was dated March 2, went viral.
"I am not sure if this letter is genuine or not, but as a former minister, the letter appears to be valid and original.
"In the letter, the RoS, which regulates all organizations, including political parties in Malaysia, clearly wrote that based on a review of the information and documentation submitted with Umno’s letter dated Jan 27, Feb 28, and Feb 14, 2023, RoS has found Umno’s additional motion decided at the 2022 Umno General Assembly (PAU 2022) is irregular and contradicts the provision under Clause 9.3 of the Umno Constitution.
"Therefore it is confirmed that Umno has indeed committed an offence against the party's constitution and Act 832 according to RoS," Khairy said.
Earlier, Saifuddin Nasution said the ministry has, in accordance with Section 70 of the Act, decided to exempt Umno from compliance with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Act with regards to the additional motion passed
"Umno, you have made a mistake; please correct it. Open the election for these two seats. End of story," he said.
In fact, he added, Umno members and delegates have been denied their right to elect the president and vice president.
Meanwhile, Arau member of parliament Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said today that he will present an urgent motion in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow regarding an initial letter from the Registration of Societies (RoS) that deemed the Umno general assembly motion for the top two posts in the party to not be contested in the coming party elections.
Shahidan, who is also a former Perlis Umno chairman, added that the urgent motion would be brought forward in accordance with Rule 18(1) to demand that the Home Ministry provide an explanation about the authenticity of the letter.
On Sunday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) had accepted the additional motion to not contest the Umno president and deputy president's posts.
Earlier, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reportedly asked Zahid to produce the letter from RoS following the controversy over the additional motion passed.