KUALA LUMPUR – Former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin could face disciplinary action due to his allegations of impropriety over the no-contest motion for the party’s top two posts earlier today, said Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
However, Zahid said the matter will be left to the discretion of the party’s disciplinary board.
“It will be up to the disciplinary board to decide on the matter,” Zahid told a press conference after concluding Umno’s annual general assembly this evening.
Earlier today, Khairy had alleged that the voting sessions were rigged as some delegates were “imported” into the hall to vote in favour of the motion, which saw Zahid and his deputy Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan retaining their positions uncontested.
Khairy’s claims even drew counter-allegations by Sg Besar Umno division leader Datuk Seri Jamal Yunos, who claimed the former had bribed certain delegates who jeered at the no-contest motion when it was tabled yesterday.
The no-contest motion was passed with a near-unanimous hand vote today, with less than 10% of the delegation voting in the negative.
Zahid explained that the assembly is the highest decision-making body in the party, and if any members decide to go against this resolution, disciplinary action can be taken against them.
At the start of the party’s assembly, Khairy had pleaded to the Umno gallery to allow for all party posts to be contested, insisting that there is a need to stop the “madness”.
In an Instagram story, the former Rembau MP questioned the call by 126 party divisions to not allow contests for the president and deputy president posts.
“Is Umno owned by these division chiefs only? Don’t the delegates and grassroots have the right to choose their leader?
“Stop this madness,” said Khairy, who lost in his bid to wrest Sg Buloh parliamentary seat during the general election in November. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
