ROS extension - just man-made laws, not God's, says Nazri

Umno supreme council member Nazri Aziz said there is nothing wrong with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) granting Umno a second extension until 2019 to hold party elections, arguing the laws are only made by humans, not God.

"There's nothing wrong, because our laws are made by man. When made by man, it's surely not to the level of Islamic law (hukum syarak).

He said since matters concerning the registration of an organisation should be brought up to the ROS director general, the decision is thus up to the registrar.

“If the director general says okay, then it's okay lah. Why say it's not okay?

“There is no wrong committed, as I see it. Let ROS make the decision,” said the tourism minister.

He added the party had rightfully consulted the ROS as the general election was approaching.

“Whatever decision we want to make, we need to consult the ROS. The general election is new, how can we have party elections when we are faced with a general election,” he said.

ROS questioned

The ROS has been criticised for granting Umno's request for an extension, which goes against its party constitution.

Former Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad also questioned how the party could have made the decision to postpone the elections beyond what its constitution allows, pointing out no extraordinary general meeting had apparently been held to make the decision.

Former Umno minister Rais Yatim today questioned the ROS for overriding the party constitution, which stipulates the supreme council is required to hold its election within three years of the last one. Umno held its last party elections on October 19, 2013.

The constitution allows for an 18-month extension as a maximum.

Critics have also pointed out the failure to hold party elections after the allowable first extension, which expired on April 19, would render the party illegal.

Rais yesterday urged the party leadership to seek court clarification on the party's status following the imbroglio. -Mkini