SHAH ALAM: The convocation of Universiti Malaysia Sabah and SPM exams being held during the Sabah state elections on Nov 29 would not be a problem as the Election Commission would have made all the proper arrangements, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan Nasional chairman and Umno president said this when asked if the convocation might impact voter turnout.
Ahmad Zahid was speaking to the media Friday (Oct 17), after officiating the Asean Sports Industry Expo 2025 here at the Setia City Convention Centre.
"The Election Commission would have taken the convocation, including the ongoing SPM exams, into account before announcing the election date. I do not see any problem (affecting the Sabah state elections)," said Ahmad Zahid.
He also said that the Umno annual general assembly was postponed twice to accommodate the Sabah state elections.
"Umno has postponed its general assembly of this year to Jan 14 next year and this is the second time we have postponed the general assembly.
"It was supposed to be in August, and then we postponed it to Nov 26.
"As the Sabah state elections are to take place, we have had to push it to Jan 14. Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has contacted the Registrar of Societies, and we have asked for the approval to do so," said Ahmad Zahid.
The 17th Sabah state election will be held on Nov 29, with nominations on Nov 15.
Asyraf had stated that the postponement would allow Umno's leadership and machinery nationwide to focus their efforts on helping Sabah Barisan Nasional regain the people’s mandate.
