The Malaysian Insight

UMNO has amended its constitution to allow its party polls to be held after a general election, according to Umno Online, after the party cancelled a scheduled press conference today.

The closed-door meeting was held at party headquarters at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today.

A total of 2,586 delegates approved the motion at the special general meeting, according to the portal.

“Umno vice-president Mohamed Khaled Nordin proposed the motion, which was seconded by vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.”

Khaled told delegates that the amendment will change three articles – 10.16, 15.3 and 18.2.

“Even after the amendments, party polls will still be held once every three years as per article 9.3,” he said.

The article 10.16 amendment will allow the Umno Supreme Council to postpone polls for the council, division and branch leaderships for not more than 18 months from the previous polls.

“This amendment will allow the supreme council to postpone party polls for six months after a general election,” said Khaled.

“The amendment to 10.16.1 will allow the supreme council to postpone party polls for not more than 18 months, or six months after an election is held for Dewan Rakyat, whichever is earlier.”

The 15.3 and 18.2 amendments will permit the supreme council to postpone polls for Umno wings, divisions and branches, he added.

The meeting today is held to amend Umno’s constitution to allow it to postpone party polls after a general election.

Umno is overdue to hold its polls after the previous one in 2018, when Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was elected party president.

While Zahid is expected to have an advantage as current president, he is also expected to face pressure from the Umno faction backing Ismail Sabri, who is also prime minister.

Delaying party polls until after a general election will ensure Zahid has the final say on who gets to contest under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner as he is BN chairman. – May 15, 2022.