Be wary of anti-govt groups, Zahid tells Umno polls hopefuls

March 8, 2023

Be wary of anti-govt groups, Zahid tells Umno polls hopefuls

PETALING JAYA: Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has warned party members, especially those contesting for a spot in the party’s Supreme Council, against being influenced by certain groups seeking to undermine the unity government.

He hoped that candidates in all positions would also be committed to strengthening Umno at all levels, saying he did not want to be with those who set aside the party’s struggle, Bernama reported.

Zahid, who is the deputy prime minister, also reminded candidates to comply with Umno’s election rules, pointing out that some candidates have already been disqualified.

He said the party’s election committee also had the right to nullify any victories at the polls, adding that he hoped all candidates understood the regulations that were in place.

Zahid also insisted that all rules were complied with in the tabling and approving of the motion for no-contests for the party’s top two posts during its general assembly in January.

“The Registrar of Societies (RoS) is tasked with safeguarding the interests of members and any group that is registered with it in accordance with their constitution.

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“So, in this matter, the authority of the home minister is absolute in determining the validity of the 2022 Umno general assembly,” he was quoted as saying.

Zahid also said he was not aware about a purported letter from the RoS, signed by its director-general Nawardi Saad, which stated that the no-contest motion was “tidak sah” (not valid).

FMT has reached out to the RoS to confirm the authenticity of the letter, which had gone viral.

Yesterday, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail 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 cited Section 70 of the Act, which empowered the minister to use his discretion to exempt any registered society from all or any of the provisions of the Act.

Saifuddin said the ministry decided to exempt Umno from compliance with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Act, which allows the RoS to deregister a society if it violates any provision of the Act.

However, former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who was sacked by the party in January, said the exemption was proof that the no-contest motion had breached the law, or there would be no need for an exemption to be given by the home minister.

The Umno elections will commence on March 11, with the Wanita, Youth and Puteri leadership posts being up for grabs, while division officials, vice-presidents and members of the Supreme Council will be elected on March 18.