Zahid denies outside interference in RoS decision

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today refuted claims of external interference in the decision by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) to give the party an exemption in its resolution for the top two posts to go uncontested. 

He said the claims by certain quarters, including several former Umno leaders, were their personal views, adding that those dissatisfied with the decision could take the matter to court. 

"No outside interference. The motion (to have the president and deputy president’s posts uncontested) was scrutinised by the permanent chairman and complied with all regulations of the 2022 Umno general assembly as well as the party constitution.

"It should be known that the highest body in Umno is the Umno general assembly, and the decision was accepted by more than 95% of the delegates.

"But we still acknowledged complaints (on the matter) from two Umno members and provided all feedback needed to the RoS," he said in a press conference at the Parliament lobby. 

In this regard, he said, it was not a form of intervention by an outside party, but rather the provisions under the Societies Act 1966 which, among others, state that the RoS needs to give legitimacy to a decision.