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Plugging loopholes in the polls process
By Shamsul Akmar and Norman Ong
KUALA LUMPUR: The Umno extraordinary general assembly, convened today to amend the party's constitution, will ensure a tighter process for next year's party elections.
There is much anticipation that the elections will be intense and the amendments are expected to plug loopholes in the process.
While the effectiveness of the amendments will be tested next year, some of the provisions, especially those which affect branch and divisional elections, would only come into force the following years.
The assembly is also expected to discuss attempts by foreigners to interfere in Malaysian politics.
It is expected that some of the delegates would want to express their displeasure with the recent remarks made by the US Vice-President Al Gore and currency speculator George Soros on the domestic political scene.
While the issue, if discussed, is expected to draw extensive debate, the party leadership would ensure that the focus on the amendments would not be sidetracked.
Most prominent of the amendments is the move to repeal the 10-bonus votes.
Another significant change would be the requirement that only candidates receiving nominations of a certain percentage of the divisions be eligible to contest for top party posts.
This would see the replacement of the minimum two-nomination requirement.
Zahid: Extend amendments
TELUK INTAN: Former Umno Youth chief Datuk Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has suggested that some of today's proposed amendments to the party constitution pertaining to conditions in vying for top party posts be extended to the divisional level.
He said if the proposed amendments were applied at the divisional level, it would solve many problems. It would also ensure that only those who were serious and had the credibility could contest.
Zahid, who resigned as Umno Youth chief in October, said he would attend today's Umno extraordinary general meeting in his capacity as the Bagan Datoh division chief.
"I will sit with those without any top posts," he told reporters after opening a rural road in Kampung Parit 7, Sungai Sumun in Bagan Datoh, yesterday.
Zahid also said that he would continue with his roadshows to explain the current issues and to "fulfil his promise" to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He said he would try to strengthen party unity in his ceramahs.
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