KUALA LUMPUR: There was no "external interference" by the Home Minister in granting Umno exemption under the Societies Act 1966 for its top two posts not to be contested, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister said the decision was in accordance with provisions in the Act and required validation by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
"There was no interference as (the exemption was provided for) under the Act," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby on Thursday (March 9).
Former Umno vice president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had asked on Wednesday (March 8) why Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail had become involved.
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"What has happened to Umno? Now the Home Minister has been dragged into this.
"Now we know why we were sacked and suspended, just in case the minister did not give an exemption!" said the Sembrong MP.
Hishammuddin, who was handed a six-year suspension by Umno in January, was commenting on an Instagram video posted by Khairy Jamaluddin on Tuesday (March 7) about Saifuddin's decision.
Ahmad Zahid said the views of certain party leaders as well as former members on the involvement of the Home Minister were baseless and could just be their personal view.
"The matter is outlined in Section 70 of the Act. As mentioned by the Home Minister, if anyone is unhappy with the decision, they can bring the matter to court," Ahmad Zahid reiterated.
Saifuddin had said in Parliament on Wednesday that if any Opposition MPs were dissatisfied with the Home Ministry’s move to rectify a decision by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) against Umno, they could challenge the matter in court.
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The Home Minister said Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 832) gave ministers the prerogative to make several exemptions.
"If the complainant is dissatisfied, saying that the minister had overstepped his powers, they could go through legal channels.
"Then the courts will decide. This is my understanding of this process and that is my explanation," added Saifuddin.
