More amendments planned for Umno constitution

Friendly greeting: Ahmad speaking to members of the media during his visit to his office at Taman Api Api, Benut, Pontian.

PONTIAN: Umno is seeking to amend two of its constitutional clauses during a four-day general assembly meeting next month, says secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

A notice for the special general assembly has been issued to the chiefs and secretaries of divisions, and the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings, he said.

“There are two Umno constitutional clauses that we will amend. First, all information chiefs will automatically be appointed representatives to the Umno general assembly every year, which is an amendment under Clause 8.4.

“The second amendment is under Clause 20.11 which says Umno members who become assemblymen or MPs but leave the party to contest either as independents or for other parties, or support other political coalitions not backed by Umno, will have their membership revoked,” he added.

Speaking to reporters yesterday about the need for the first amendment, Ahmad said that all information chiefs from the divisions, Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings had never been selected as representatives to the annual Umno general assembly.

“We hope that with the appointment of the information chief as a representative, they can share all the information and messages with members under their division or wing.”

He said the second amendment was an update to the party constitution, which is in line with the anti-hopping law.

“The amendments will be tabled by Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin as he is in charge of all matters related to the party constitution,” he added.

The Umno general assembly would be held from Jan 11-14, he said.

Asked to comment on whether there would be a motion for the posts of the party president and deputy president to be contested or not, Ahmad said the decision would only be made during the party’s supreme council meeting on Jan 12.

“There is no decision on the matter now. We will wait for the supreme council meeting,” he said.

On Dec 11, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would accept any motion at the upcoming general assembly as long as it could strengthen the party.

He said this in reference to Sungai Besar Umno chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos’ proposal that there be no contest for the two top posts.