KUALA LUMPUR – Umno’s plan to amend its party constitution to automatically elect all information chiefs as delegates to future general assemblies is vital to ensure all members are well-informed on the party’s direction and decisions, and expected to turn the political outfit into a more comprehensive unit.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Prof Awang Azman Awang Pawi opined that the new provision now means the largest Malay party in the country is able to make sure that the strategic post holders who are responsible for relaying key information and party mandate to the grassroots can attend its annual meets.
This is particularly crucial following Umno’s recent decision to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan to form the government, following the conclusion of the election last month.
“Where previously information chiefs from the respective divisions and branches are not included as part of the members who are automatically qualified to attend the annual general meeting, they now can under the new amendment,” he told The Vibes’ sister portal Getaran.
“Although these individuals are responsible for matters related to the party information, they were not necessarily elected to represent their divisions previously, with the selection based on votes.
“With this new provision, it will ensure that the party can truly target these strategic post holders to attend the assemblies,” he added.
Awang Azman also dismissed suggestions that the amendment is against the spirit of democracy, stressing instead that the move will make Umno more all-inclusive and sensitive to present developments.
In fact, the academician questioned why it took Umno so long to move the amendment to automatically elect information chiefs to attend the annual general meetings when the role of these office bearers is crucial when it comes to providing enlightenment to party members.
“This goes beyond the interest of the president or other individuals, but is instead done for the interest of the party,” he said, adding that Umno currently needs a hands-on approach in disseminating information to its members, particularly on its position in the unity government.
Awang Azman was commenting on Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s statement on Monday announcing the party’s plan to amend Clause 8.4 of its constitution so that division chiefs from all divisions and the wanita, youth and Puteri wings are automatically elected as delegates to its annual meetings.
Ahmad had also said that another amendment will be made to Clause 20.11 to stipulate that the membership of Umno members will be automatically revoked if they leave the party or contest as an independent or a candidate for another party during an election, a move that is in line with the amendments to the federal constitution on anti-party hopping.
The Pontian MP said these will be done in a special general assembly, which will be held after the president’s policy speech on January 13, next year, at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. Umno is scheduled to hold its annual general assembly from January 11 to 14.
Meanwhile, UiTM academician Prof Madya Datuk Ismail Sualman said there is no pressing need for Umno to make any bizarre decisions that cause members to lose further interest in the party, especially after its poor election performance last month.
“I believe it will lead to a trust deficit among its own members,” he was quoted as saying.
Ismail added that the proposed amendment is inconsequential as based on his observation, most of the division delegates who have been attending Umno’s general assembly already comprise the information chiefs.
Under the current convention, each Umno division is allowed to elect five of its members to attend the annual meeting.
“These information chiefs are already traditionally appointed as the spokesmen during debates. So, why is Umno making an amendment to automatically elect them as a delegate? It is already a practice and does not necessitate an amendment to the constitution.” – The Vibes, December 28, 2022
