[UPDATED] Isham confirms tabling of no-contest motion, voting tomorrow

KUALA LUMPUR – Umno information chief Isham Jalil has confirmed that a supplementary motion was tabled in the party’s general assembly today not to contest the top two positions.

He said a voting is scheduled to be held at the end of the assembly’s proceedings tomorrow, as is the convention with any other motions.

According to Isham, the motion was tabled by Negri Sembilan delegate Mohd Shukri Samsudin and was supported by representatives from other states, including Terengganu and Selangor.

Thirteen more delegates are expected to debate tomorrow and express their views on the motion.

“Usually, in matters like this, after all the speeches are delivered, the permanent chairman will put the motion up for vote,” he told a press conference after the conclusion of today’s proceeding.

Isham added that six other motions were tabled earlier today.

His remark today runs contrary to an earlier statement by Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir claiming that no motion was tabled today proposing for the top two posts to be left uncontested. 

“However, we leave it to the delegates, because at the end of the day, they are the ones who will debate the motions and decide whether to support them or not.”

Later, a video was leaked on TikTok showing Shukri explicitly proposing a motion for the president and deputy president positions to be unchallenged, drawing jeers from certain segments of the gallery. 

On a separate matter, Isham said the party has yet to decide on a date for its internal polls, but noted that this has to be done by May 19, which is six months after the general election, in accordance with the party constitution. 

However, he urged anyone planning to mount a challenge for the top two posts to make their intentions clear immediately, so as to offer a level playing field to the incumbents. 

Isham said this is because there are concerns that the challengers would be conducting under the table campaigning, giving them an advantage. – The Vibes, January 13, 2023