Saifuddin confirms Umno given exemption on compliance to Act, no contest motion valid

SHAH ALAM - Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has confirmed that Umno has been granted an exemption from compliance to the Societies Act 1966, thus validating the motion passed by its last general assembly to not open its top two positions for contest in the upcoming party elections.

Saifuddin said in a statement today that the exemption was granted under Section 70 of the Societies Act of 1966.

"With reference to Umno's constitution and meeting rules, the ministry has decided to exempt Umno from compliance with Section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the Act with relation to the extra motion passed," he stated.

Section 70 can provide disretion to the minister to exempt any registered society from all or any of the Act's restrictions.

On Sunday, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that the Registrar of Societies (RoS) had accepted the additional motion of the 2022 Umno General Assembly (PAU) to not contest the Umno president and deputy president's posts.

Zahid said on Sunday that Umno received a letter from the Home Ministry (KDN) confirming that RoS has accepted the extra motion approved by PAU 2022.

Earlier, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reportedly asked Ahmad Zahid to produce the letter from RoS following the controversy over the additional motion passed at the 2022 Umno general assembly.