KUALA LUMPUR – The special Umno general assembly has resoundingly supported the amendment to the party’s constitution to allow its internal selection of leaders to be held six months after the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).
This came after party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi rebuffed claims that the move was merely a ploy to defend his top post.
During his address at the party’s special general assembly, the former deputy prime minister called the allegation “narrow-minded” and intended to tarnish Umno.
According to party organ BN Online, 100% of the more than 2,000 delegation members present voted in favour of the motion tabled by vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which was seconded by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The amendment, according to BN Online, empowers the Umno Supreme Council to postpone party selections at the council, division and branch levels for not more than 18 months from the date of an initial selection, or not more than six months after a general election, or whichever comes later.
Previously, Umno postponed its party elections for 18 months after the 2018/2021 term ended on June 30 last year, requiring the selection for the 2021/2023 term to be held before December 30 this year.
In March, the party’s general assembly agreed to postpone the party polls for up to six months to allow it to focus on GE15.
Zahid said that the amendment to the party’s constitution is in line with the aspirations of Umno grassroots members.
“I have heard voices among us that ostensibly the amendment is to save Zahid Hamidi as president. I wish to stress this is untrue and I have no intention at all to do so,” he said in his speech at the World Trade Centre here this afternoon.
“There is no way I can do that (forcibly defend the post).”
Zahid, who is Bagan Datuk MP, reminded those who believe the measure is a ploy that the amendment for the party to select its leaders after the upcoming GE15 is a motion tabled by the majority of Umno divisions in all states.
He said the decision by the divisions was brought to the party’s annual general assembly recently.
“The amendment is a manifestation of the grassroots’ voices. I am confident that those present here want to see the party strong and united,” Zahid said.
“In leadership, we must save the ship regardless of what comes our way. Even though we are sacrificed, the vessel must not be allowed to sink.”
Meanwhile, Zahid also said that Umno’s agenda for political stability is meaningless if the party is divided by factions, which would be detrimental to their struggle.
“Stability is very important for us to defend. Umno’s history has shown how the party’s constitution and regulations are constantly undergoing the amendment processes,” he said.
“They (amendments) are made to suit the times, apart from preventing internal problems that affect the party as a whole.”
Zahid also reminded the party and the nation to take the previous election (GE14) as a lesson, as the new coalition that wrested federal power at the time was unable to deliver on its promises.
“The people were on the receiving end of blatant lies,” he said. – The Vibes, May 15, 2022
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