Umno to name Ismail as PM candidate for GE15

The Umno Supreme Council has unanimously agreed to nominate Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the party’s candidate for prime minister at the 15th general election.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said this was one of several decisions made at a meeting of the Supreme Council chaired by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today.

In a statement, he said the council had also agreed that the memorandum of understanding with Pakatan Harapan will not be extended beyond its expiration on July 31.

It likewise agreed on the need to continue debating the anti-party hopping bill and supporting it “without compromise” until it is passed.

“The anti-party hopping act must continue to be debated and supported for approval without compromising with any quarters who try to thwart it or change its meaning to another legal form,” Maslan said.

He added that a special general assembly would be held on May 14 to amend the Umno constitution regarding the period for party elections.

MalaysiaNow reported on April 9 that the anti-hopping bill could benefit the Umno court cluster due to a separate law giving political parties a blanket right when it comes to the expulsion of members.

The bill in its present form, aside from causing elected representatives to lose their seats if they switch party loyalties after being elected, could see those sacked from their parties losing their seats as well, even if the sackings were wrongful, unfair or done under controversial circumstances.

Law minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar however assured that the government would take into account all relevant and related provisions including Section 18C of the Societies Act 1966 when drafting the anti-party hopping bill to stop MPs from jumping ship.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, he also repeated assurances that the amendment to Article 10 of the Federal Constitution would be subject to it specifically addressing MPs who switch parties, the proposal to repeal Article 48(6) of the constitution, and the enactment of legislation related to the ban on MPs switching camps.

“The select committee will look at what needs to be done,” he said when asked if the next draft would consider Section 18C of the Societies Act.