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Don't be influenced by anti-govt groups, Zahid tells Umno election candidates

The Umno president says candidates should be committed to strengthening Umno at all levels, especially the national level.

Bernama
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Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaks in Kota Kinabalu, March 7. Photo: Bernama
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi speaks in Kota Kinabalu, March 7. Photo: Bernama

Umno members, including those contesting the party election, especially for Supreme Council seats, were yesterday reminded not to be influenced by groups aiming to destablise the current administration.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he did not want to be among those who support other parties and set aside Umno's struggle.

The deputy prime minister said he hoped those who were contesting were committed to strengthening Umno at all levels, especially the national level.

"We do not want there to be candidates championing the 'end block' or the 'on block' in Umno today," he said at the introduction of Umno election candidates in Kota Kinabalu last night.

He added that candidates were also reminded to comply with election regulations as there had been those who lost their qualifications before election day.
 
He said the election committee had the right to nullify victories, and voiced hope that candidates would understand the regulations set.

When met by reporters, Zahid said Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan had received a letter from the home ministry granting the 2022 Umno general assembly exemption for the motion of no-contest for the top two posts.

He said it was because Umno permanent chairman Badruddin Amiruddin had followed all the regulations contained in the general assembly rules and the motion was in accordance with the party’s constitution.

"The Registrar of Societies is tasked with ensuring the interests of members, and whichever body registered with it in accordance with their constitution.

"So in this matter, the authority of the minister is absolute in determining the validity of the 2022 Umno general assembly," he said.

Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail was earlier reported as saying that his ministry had given Umno an exemption from Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Societies Act 1966 (Act 832) relating to the additional no-contest motion for the presidency and deputy presidency during this year’s party election.

Saifuddin said the ministry had referred to the Umno constitution and assembly regulations regarding the motion and provided the exemption based on Section 70 of Act 832.