GEORGE TOWN – Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he has not seen his ministry’s approval of the no-contest motion by Umno for its two top posts in the party’s upcoming elections.
The Pantai Jerejak assemblyman said that he would need time to verify Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s claims that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) had approved Umno’s decision to bar contests for its presidential and deputy presidential posts.
Saifuddin said he had yet to read any letter regarding the approval as he had only just returned from an official visit to the Philippines with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“I have just returned from abroad. I have yet to see it. Give me a chance to read the letter,” he said when met at the sidelines of the two-day state assembly.
Saifuddin also said that it would only be fair to allow him to speak to his officers first before commenting further on the matter.
Earlier, while visiting Penang on Saturday, Zahid claimed that RoS had dispatched a letter to Umno approving the resolution after the party's general assembly had approved a no-contest motion for the top two posts.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Ahmad Maslan had apparently received the letter, which was dated March 3.
RoS comes under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction.
Last month, it was reported that RoS was investigating a possible violation of the party’s constitution after the motion was approved at its general assembly.
This follows complaints filed to RoS by two Umno members, alleging that the party leadership breached Article 10 of the party’s constitution by insisting that the no-contest rule is valid for the top two posts.
Among those seeking clarification is former prime minister and outgoing Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Zahid said that the contests for the 25 members of the Umno Supreme Council, as well as the youth and Wanita wings can continue to be held. – The Vibes, March 6, 2023
