KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 – What the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized when asked about the statement of the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, which allegedly contradicted the Organization Registration Department (RoS) regarding the decision of an additional motion not to compete for the positions of President and Deputy President in this year’s UMNO election. In the provisions of the law, there are RoS powers that will be submitted to the minister and the minister’s authority, so let the minister explain and the minister has already explained.
“It is normal for me in my work at the Prime Minister’s Department and the Ministry of Finance, there are times when I override (cancel) an official’s decision . For example, in the past officials were instructed to award contracts following direct negotiations, I override because I think it is better to use a more transparent tender process,” he told reporters after officiating the Kuala Lumpur Park Festival ceremony at Taman Tasik Titiwangsa on Thursday, here on Thursday . Previously, National Alliance (PN) Council Member, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan urged Saifuddin to explain the existence of a letter allegedly issued by RoS regarding the UMNO election.
According to a letter dated March 2, the PN Parliamentary Chief Whip claimed that the RoS considered the additional motion to be irregular and contrary to the provisions of Clause 9.3 of the UMNO Constitution. Takiyuddin, who is also PAS Secretary General, insisted that if the letter is genuine, it contradicts Saifuddin Nasution’s media statement today, which exempted UMNO from complying with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966.
However, last Saturday, UMNO President who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi informed that his party had received a letter from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which confirmed that the RoS accepted the proposal of no contest for the two highest positions in the party. According to Zahid, UMNO received the two-page letter dated March 3. However, UMNO Vice President Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob urged Zahid to reveal the letter.
Following that, Ahmad Zahid informed that his party will reveal the RoS letter in order to point out the polemic related to the additional proposal of PAU 2022 which prevents the competition for the two highest positions of UMNO. On 20 January last, two UMNO members filed a notice of objection to the RoS regarding the 2022 UMNO General Assembly (PAU) decision not to contest the two positions which were claimed to be invalid and in conflict with the party’s constitution.
