Home minister confirms Umno given exemption on no-contest motion

March 7, 2023

Home minister confirms Umno given exemption on no-contest motion

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 — Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail today confirmed that Umno was granted an exemption under the Societies Act 1966 for the resolution barring contests for its top two posts in the upcoming party elections.

He said the exemption was granted to Umno pursuant to Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 832).

“In reference to Umno’s constitution and conference rules, the ministry has, in accordance with Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 decided to exempt Umno from compliance with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Act.

“This was on the additional motion passed at the 2022 Umno General Assembly on the no-contest resolution for the party president and deputy president posts,” he said in a statement today.

Saifuddin was responding to Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 where as the minister in charge, he can use his discretion to exempt any registered party from all or any of the provisions of the Act.

On Sunday it was reported that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has approved an additional motion passed at the 2022 Umno General Assembly for the president and deputy president posts to be uncontested in the party’s elections this year.

DISYORKAN UNTUK ANDA :

Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Umno had received a letter from the Home Minister regarding RoS’ decision a day before.

He hoped the letter would put an end to the issues that have arisen from the decision, adding that it would confirm the general assembly’s role as the highest decision-making body for Umno.

This came in response to party vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s earlier request for proof of the letter that cleared the party of any wrongdoing over the no-contest motion.

The Umno elections started on February 1 and will run until March 18.