One of seven proposed amendments to the Umno constitution to be tabled at the party's special general assembly here tomorrow raises to 146,500 the number of delegates eligible to elect Umno's top as well as divisional leaders.

NONE The number of delegates is an increase of more than 5,000 percent from the 2,510 delegates who elect the top party officials now.

The amendment also proposes that all the chiefs of the party's wings at the branch level automatically become delegates.

The six other proposed amendments are:

  • The introduction of a registration system to replace the nomination quota system. (The minimum requirement for eligibility to contest will be determined by the Umno supreme council).
  • The appointment of Wanita Umno representatives to take up seats on committees at the branch, divisional and supreme council levels. (This proposed amendment raises the number of appointed members, from 12 to 13 on the supreme council, from seven to eight on the divisional committees, and from five to six on the branch committees.)
  • The elections at the divisional and top levels will be held simultaneously, and as such an Umno elections committee would be set up to supervise the elections in terms of logistics and cost. (Members of this committee will be appointed by the party president.)
  • The abolition of the annual membership fee and its replacement with a life membership fee.
  • Giving the mandate to the Umno Youth, Wanita Umno and Puteri Umno chiefs at the branch level to verify new membership.
  • Recognising divisional secretaries automatically as delegates to the Umno general assembly.
Unanimous decision sought

Umno Constitutional Amendments Committee chairperson Hishammuddin Hussein told reporters today all the proposed amendments would be finalised by the supreme council at its meeting tonight.

NONE He said one of the proposed amendments required the council's decision on the setting of a minimum requirement for candidates contesting the divisional and top posts.

"The supreme council, at its meeting tonight, will decide on the minimum qualification so that not anyone will contest, especially for the top posts. But believe me, it will be a minimum requirement," he said after briefing representatives of Umno liaison committees on the proposed amendments.

Hishammuddin said the amendments might not necessarily resolve all the party's internal problems, but they were important to handle specific issues.

"The amendments are part of Umno's transformation process to enable the party to be more democratic, transparent and inclusive.

"Although only seven matters are to be amended, the impact is historical and meaningful for the party. And, this needs the unanimous decision of the delegates to the special general assembly tomorrow," he said.

- Bernama