RoS probing possible breach of party constitution, says Umno man

The Registrar of Societies (RoS) is investigating a possible violation of Umno’s constitution through the no-contest motion for its top two posts, says a party member.

(FMT) – Aizat Fikri Nasir, one of the two Umno members who lodged a report with the RoS over the motion, said he received a letter from the department dated Jan 26 stating that it was in the midst of checking and investigating his complaint.

“The statement made by the party secretary-general (Ahmad Maslan) suggesting that the issue has been resolved is ‘premature’.

“I hope he does not preempt the RoS or interfere with the ongoing probe. This could affect the people’s trust in the department,” he said in a statement today.

Aizat and Negeri Sembilan Umno member Fiqri Firdaus had lodged the report with the RoS two weeks ago seeking an investigation into the possible breach of the party’s constitution.

They claimed the tabling of the no-contest motion at the recent Umno general assembly had breached Article 10 of the party’s constitution.

They insisted that the motion had to be tabled two weeks before the general assembly, or seven days if tabled by the Supreme Council.

During the assembly on Jan 14, Negeri Sembilan delegate Shukri Shamsudin proposed a motion to exclude the posts of president and deputy president from being contested during party elections, which must be held by May.

The motion was approved.

On Jan 31, Ahmad Maslan said the RoS had confirmed in a meeting with Umno representatives that the no-contest motion did not violate any rules or regulations.

Umno was reported to have been split over whether the top two posts should be contested, with some saying it risked dividing the party, and others arguing party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his deputy, Mohamad Hasan, must prove they had the support of the grassroots.