RoS rules against Umno’s move to delay party polls

The Registrar of Societies (RoS) today ruled that Umno’s decision to postpone party polls by 18 months is invalid, saying the current office holders had completed the 2018/2021 term on June 30.

“Based on the minutes of the Umno Supreme Council meeting on July 7 to postpone the Supreme Council, divisional and branch elections for 18 months, the RoS is of the view that the decision is invalid,” it said in a statement.

Those who had called for Umno to postpone its polls included former leader Najib Razak, who alongside party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have been facing growing opposition from within the party over their campaign to take Umno out of the government.

Many Umno leaders such as Khairy Jamaluddin, Reezal Merican Naina Merican and Annuar Musa had openly criticised the move to delay the polls, saying Umno cannot go to the general election under its current leadership.

Earlier this year, Khairy mocked the decision, reminding party leaders that a similar decision prior to the 2018 general election had not benefited Umno.

“In the end, we folded up,” Khairy said, referring to Umno’s historic fall from power.