KUALA LUMPUR – The Umno Supreme Council cannot make any policy decision as it is functioning only in a caretaker capacity, following the lapse of its current term on June 30.
Registrar of Societies (RoS) director-general Jasri Kasim told Utusan Malaysia that Umno’s highest decision-making body can function as per usual only when the party holds its polls or after the matter is brought up at its general assembly.
For now, the council can only conduct normal party administration and management work, he added.
It is unclear whether Umno’s decision to withdraw support for the Perikatan Nasional government last week still stands, as it was made after June 30.
“Any policy decision implementation must be brought up at the general assembly first, because of this caretaker status,” said Jasri.
He acknowledged that he received an explanation from Umno pertaining to its decision to postpone its polls by 18 months.
He said RoS’ resolve to declare the postponement as invalid is because it was made after the expiry of the current Supreme Council term.
RoS will now review the letter before making any new decision and after receiving fresh information from Umno, he added.
“I have told Umno that this issue is straightforward. We have heard their explanation and will examine one by one,” he said, adding that the party has yet to provide a new proposed date for its polls and 2021 general assembly.
Last Friday, RoS declared the 18-month postponement of the Umno election as invalid as the term for Supreme Council office-bearers has expired.
The following day, Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said the decision to postpone the party polls is done in view of the health crisis, and following the advice of the Health Ministry and National Security Council.
He said RoS had on June 24 acknowledged receiving a letter from Umno stating that it has no issue with the party delaying its polls.
On Sunday, the registrar said the election must be conducted by December 31, and advised Umno to do so, adding that the same policy also applies to other organisations. – The Vibes, August 10, 2021
