Postponement of UMNO election not related to 1MDB - Tengku Adnan

UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor today denied allegations that the postponement of party elections was to provide space to clean the issue on the 1MDB debts.

On the contrary, he said the postponement was aimed at empowering the party and to focus on a more effective national development agenda.

"The decision was unanimous at the grassroots stage to be more focused on matters of priority to the nation. If the election is continued, inappropriate matters may crop up," he said.

He said this to reporters after opening a programme '2015 Raya Shopping With Orphans And The Unfortunate' here today.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister who is also Umno president, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the postponement of the election scheduled for next year for 18 months under clause 10.16 of the party constitution which empowers the supreme council (MT) to postpone the elections at MT, division and branch

levels.

READ: UMNO 2016 party polls postponed for 18 months - Najib

Tengku Adnan, who is also the Minister of Federal Territories, said the duration of the postponement would be fully made use of with numerous programmes in preparation to face the 14th general election (PRU-14).

A total 880 orphans from Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya were feted at the programme, including buying preparations for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, while a similar programme for orphans in Labuan would be held on July 2.

This year, RM130,000 had been contributed by the Federal Territory Foundation to help the less fortunate to also enjoy the festive season.

The programme, which was held with the cooperation of the Federal Territory Puteri Umno and the AEON shopping centre, also handed over Hari Raya envelopes of RM50 and RM200 to buy Aidilfitri needs.

Meanwhile, MCA president Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the postponement of UMNO election was apt with the desire to strengthen the party machinery for facing PRU-14.

"I am confident all parties have the same objective to ensure we all must focus and be united to give the best service to the people," he told reporters after opening a Special Education Integration Community Chest Programme at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina (SJKC) Sam Yoke here, today.

Liow said the move made by the UMNO president was also to focus efforts on community and national development because they were more important than other agendas.