The Umno supreme council today decided that the party's annual general assembly as well as the hotly contested party elections will be held on March 24-28.

The decision lays to rest widespread speculation that the elections might be brought forward to December this year, as was originally scheduled.

abdullah ahmad badawi pm mahathir quits umno pc 190508 04 Speaking to reporters after the three-hour meeting, Umno president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said: "The decision has been made long ago.

"Once the Umno divisions finish (holding their respective meetings), they will present their reports to the (Umno) headquarters and the headquarters will prepare for the AGM."

When asked if the handover of power to Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abul Razak would occur before or after March, Abdullah suggested it would take place after the party polls.

"Come on lah . Surely not on the very day (of the polls). Give us a few days to sort it out and do it properly."

He said that among the topics discussed at the supreme council meeting were those involving campaigning, lobbying and money politics in the impending polls.

Abdullah, who is also prime minister, revealed that agents, campaign managers and vote canvassers have been found staying in hotels around Kuala Lumpur.

“We have learnt that these individuals are here to ask members to vote or not to vote for a particular candidate. We have sent out observers to spot them. I am warning them to go home or stern actions will be taken against them,” admonished Abdullah.

He also warned candidates against using “either directly or indirectly” government machineries for campaign purposes and not to spread lies through short messaging service (SMS).

“I urge those spreading lies through SMS to stop. Those receiving the SMSes must be wise to not be swayed by the contents and refer to party headquarters for clarification before reacting to them,” he said.

Not allowed to meet delegates directly

Abdullah reminded candidates vying for supreme council seats that they are not allowed to meet party delegates directly.

These candidates must go through the party headquarters, which will then organise ‘meet the party delegates’ events at the state level.

According to the party president, the campaign guidelines are there to help assuage the concerns of many party members that the long campaigning period of four and a half months may be exploited by some quarters.

As for calls for open debates between contesting candidates, Abdullah said that the supreme council did not discuss the issue.

A number of candidates, including Umno Youth chief aspirant Khairy Jamaluddin, have called for open debates between contestants.

But veteran leaders, among them Umno vice-president and deputy president aspirant Muhyiddin Yassin, have knocked down the proposal, arguing that it “does more harm than good.”

In a related development, Abdullah also said that it was wrong for Terrenganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said to disallow state cabinet members from contesting the party polls.

He said that every party member should be allowed to contest - a right which is enshrined in the Umno constitution.

Ahmad had earlier threatened to expel those state executive council members who seek party posts.

Supreme council 'all for March date'

Meanwhile, several supreme council members when met after the meeting said no one had raised the issue of bringing forward the March annual general meeting to December.

Rahim Thamby Chik said that the March date had been unanimously agreed upon by all supreme council members.

"The matter (bringing forward to December) was not raised," he said.

He also said that no supreme council member had urged Abdullah to take leave, allowing Najib to serve as acting prime minister before March.

Umno Kedah chief Mahadzir Khalid said the supreme council meeting focused on the campaign rules for the upcoming party polls and did not touch on the transition plan.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussien said the supreme council, which is the party’s highest decision-making body, had unanimously endorsed the March date.

"Pak Lah (Abdullah) has made it very clear (the transition date) and supreme council members will make sure that it is a dignified transition (of power)," he said.

"We feel we are in good hands. (Najib) is in the position to take over (and) has the support and confidence of party members."