Saifuddin’s decision on Umno polls ‘suspicious’, complainant claims

 

The Home Ministry’s decision to exempt Umno from a law that could see the party getting deregistered “confirms” there were irregularities in the Umno elections, claimed Aizat Fikri Nasir Fikri.

The Kuala Nerus Umno member, who filed a notice of objection with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) in January, said if the Umno polls were done properly, the minister would not have used his powers to exclude the provision of cancelling the party’s registration.

“If everything was in order, ROS could have simply sent a letter stating that there is no violation.

"Honestly, I am quite disappointed with this considering the government and leadership today, who are said to be respectful to the rule of law, have used their power to ensure that the positions of Umno president and deputy president are not contested as should be carried out through the democratic process," he said.

Earlier today, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he had invoked Section 70 of the Societies Act to exempt Umno from getting deregistered.

This is in relation to the additional motion approved in the 2022 Umno annual general assembly, which approved for the Umno president and deputy president’s posts not to be contested this time around.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail

The section reads: “The minister at his discretion in writing exempt any society registered under this Act from all or any of the provisions of this Act.”

With that, the minister had exempted Umno from complying with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act, which relates to the deregistration of a society.

Considering judicial review

Meanwhile, Aizat (above) said he would discuss with another complainant, Muhammad Fiqri Firdaus Muhammad Rom and a lawyer to take the matter to court.

Aizat and Fiqri filed their report with ROS on Jan 20, claiming the resolution of no contest for the top two positions in Umno was invalid and in conflict with the party's constitution.

The Umno election will begin at the end of this month starting with the selection of candidates for positions in the party's wings.

For the vice president posts – the highest positions contested this time – there are eight candidates vying for the three spots, which include incumbents Mohamed Khaled Nordin and Mahdzir Khalid.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (left) with his deputy Mohamad Hasan

Former prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is not defending his position.

Ex-Umno Youth leader Khairy Jamaluddin had previously expressed his intention to challenge Zahid. However, he got expelled from the party last month. - Mkini