![[UPDATED] Minister overruled RoS’ rejection of Umno’s no-contest, claims Takiyuddin](https://media.thevibes.com/images/uploads/covers/_large/19122022_-_Datuk_Seri_Haji_Takiyuddin_Hassan_di_Sidang_media_bersama_ketua_pembangkang_selepas_Persidangan_Dewan_Rakyat_ke_15_di_Parlimen_-_AZIM_RAHMAN_2.jpeg)
KUALA LUMPUR – The Registrar of Societies (RoS) had purportedly ruled that Umno’s no-contest motion for its top two posts was invalid, before the matter was overruled by ministerial discretion.
This was claimed by PAS secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan (Kota Baru-PN), who said he sighted a letter by the RoS dated March 2 addressed to Umno on the matter.
Speaking at the Dewan Rakyat, Takiyuddin claimed that the RoS letter had stated that the motion to leave the president and deputy posts uncontested, as passed by the party’s general assembly in January, was not in order and in violation of Umno's constitution.
“The letter said that ‘as such, based on the power accorded to RoS, the decision on the supplementary motion is declared invalid’,” the PAS lawmaker said when debating Budget 2023 today.
Takiyuddin’s remarks follow a press statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail earlier today stating that he had granted approval to Umno’s no-contest motion using his discretionary powers under Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 to grant Umno an exception to Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the same act.
This section pertains to deregistration of a party, and states that the RoS has the power to deregister any society found to have wilfully contravened any provision within the act or any regulation made thereunder.
Takiyuddin’s surprise claim today also contradicts claims by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the no-contest motion had been accepted by the RoS.
In his debate today, Takiyuddin said it is pertinent for Saifuddin to clarify the matter as it involved public interest.
In particular, he wanted to know what criteria had been considered for the minister to grant Umno an exemption from the section on deregistration.
“If this is the practice, will it set a precedent for other societies as well? I would like to know if this will be applied to all societies,” he said.
In January following Umno’s general assembly where the motion was passed, two Umno members from Terengganu and Negri Sembilan had lodged reports with the RoS alleging that the motion to prevent contests for the president and deputy president posts was unconstitutional. – The Vibes, March 7, 2023
