A total of 41 amendments to the Umno party constitutions meant to address internal vote-buying problems were passed at its extraordinary general meeting (EGM) today.

The process took a mere one hour which through a show of hands. The EGM kicked off after the annual general assembly presidential address by Najib Abdul Razak.

The 41 amendments were part of seven motions tabled by the Umno Constitutional Amendments Committee chairperson Hishammuddin Hussein and seconded by Johor Bharu division chief Shahrir Samad.

A handful of delegates stood up to debate the motions but their grouses were addressed by Hishammuddin and were passed without further amendments.

The amendments are part of seven motions. They are:

  • The number of delegates who elect the top party officials to increase from the 2,510 delegates to 146,500.

  • The introduction of a registration system to replace the nomination quota system. ( Those wanting to contest top party post will have to be committee members at the divisional level for at least one term ).

  • 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.
Hishammuddin PC Umno Consituitional amendments 01 Speaking to reporters later, Hishammuddin (centre in photo) described the seemingly unanimous voting process on the seven motions had exceeded his expectations.

"It is in line with the president's speech. It signals that we in Umno have reflected with the realities of the day by going down to the grassroots.

"The amendments is the beginning of the transformation process. It shows that Umno is inclusive, democratic and diversified. The amendments would ensure Umno remain relevant," he said.

He said convincing 2,500 members to agree to allow146,500 to vote in the party elections as "mission impossible", but attributed the smooth voting process to the discussions about the amendments held at the branch levels.