A suggestion for the proposed amendment to the Umno constitution wants the number of delegates at the general assembly to be increased to 650,000, Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

Hishammuddin, who is chairman of the Umno constitution amendment main committee, said the suggestion was among those received by the committee. The current number of delegates to the general assembly is 2,600.

hishammuddin hussein ppsmi languanges debate issue 260209 06 Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the committee, he said any amendment to the party constitution would have to be on the basis of empowering the grassroots, facilitating contests by members, making Umno more inclusive to all groups, reducing the campaign period, and facilitating the Umno membership process.

The party's supreme council, on April 24, agreed to amend the constitution pertaining to the mode and process of party elections so that they would be more transparent, open and democratic.

Hishammuddin said the quota system would be abolished to facilitate contests by members. However, certain conditions would be imposed on those involved.

Opposing division to be brief

Clause 9.5 of the party constitutions stipulates obtaining a quota of 30 percent of nominations from the 191 Umno divisions to be able to contest the post of president, 20 percent for the post of deputy president, 10 percent for that of vice-president and five percent for a post in the supreme council.

Hishammuddin said the feedback from the grassroots would be considered by the Umno management committee at a meeting next week before it is taken up to a meeting of the supreme council on Sept 11.

On the Bukit Mertajam Umno division in Penang reported to be against the proposal to amend the constitution, Hishammuddin said the division would be briefed on the matter.

A representative of the state attended today's meeting, he said.

- Bernama