UMNO constitutional amendment will give party space needed to focus on GE15 - Zahid

UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the move was also a sign of trust and responsibility for party continuity which, among others, requires all members to be open-minded and big-hearted to ensure UMNO continues to flourish in overcoming its struggles.

"The amendment is done with a clear message. We want stability in UMNO to face the 15th general election, restore the party's dignity and prepare the next leaders for our party's struggles," he said in his speech at a special UMNO general meeting at the World Trade Centre's Dewan Merdeka here today.

Also present were UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the party's three vice-presidents - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

The amendment to the UMNO constitution that involves Clause Fasal 10.16 was tabled by Mohamed Khaled.

Ahmad Zahid said the amendment this time was a manifestation of the UMNO grassroots calls for a strong and consolidated party, in turn giving its leadership at all levels the space to focus on general election matters.

He said once the general election was done and dusted, party polls will be conducted with the new leadership elected to have a maximum of five years to channel its energy and work, ensure party stability and prepare for the subsequent general election.

Ahmad Zahid also lambasted certain UMNO members who claimed that the amendment was aimed at saving his position as party president.

"I must stress that this is untrue. If there are among us, including in the party's top leadership, who think that way, then they must be narrow-minded.

"Let us not forget, that calls and motions for party elections to be held after the general election were from the majority of party divisions during their annual general meeting, which was later brought to the party general assembly two months ago before being endorsed and passed," he said.

Ahmad Zahid stressed that an UMNO that faces internal factions and unrest will ultimately prove detrimental to the party.

He said since 1990, the party constitution had undergone amendments pertaining to party elections three times, namely in 1987, 1998 and 2009.

"These were the phases in UMNO that gave us the maturity and strengthened the party to remain relevant in the country's political landscape," he said.

Umno, prior to this, postponed its party elections for 18 months after the 2018/2021 term ended on June 30 last year, which meant that party elections for the 2021/2023 term must be held before Dec 30 this year.

However, the Umno general assembly that was held in March agreed to postpone party polls up to six months after GE15 to allow the party to focus on general election matters.