Umno constitution changed
Good morning, here’s a quick rundown of what happened over the weekend.
Key Highlights
Umno constitution changed
AG explains fine over jail
Sapura bailout
Umno constitution changed
Umno delegates yesterday unanimously approved an amendment to their party's constitution, allowing the party more options to postpone the Umno polls.
Previously, the Umno election can only be postponed for up to 18 months. Now, the party can also postpone the election by up to six months from the date of a general election, whichever comes later.
The Umno election was scheduled in June last year but following an 18-month postponement, it is only due in December this year. If the general election is held, for example in September, then the Umno polls can be pushed further until March 2023.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi maintained that the amendment was not intended to extend his hold on power but to prevent a factional split in contentious party polls ahead of the general election.
The Umno leadership has pressed Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hold the 15th general election this year, before the Umno polls, but the Umno vice-president has not committed to the demand.
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AG explains fine over jail
Faced with criticism for letting Serba Dinamik Holding executives off the hook with only a fine instead of a jail term, attorney-general Idrus Harun broke his silence to explain the justification.
Serba Dinamik and its top executives were accused of committing fraud by submitting false financial statements.
Idrus said charges were dropped against the oil and gas firms and their directors because there was only "circumstantial evidence" available and it was also intended to avoid a long trial.
A string of resignations at the Securities Commission followed the decision, which was perceived as a sign of protest at letting the executives off with a slap on the wrist.
They were acquitted after paying an RM15 million fine.
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Sapura bailout
Umno formally backed a proposal for state-owned Petronas to bail out financially-troubled oil and gas firm Sapura Energy Bhd but said a forensic audit must be conducted.
Putrajaya, however, has taken a cautious approach with the proposal.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed said the matter must be considered carefully, including the country's current financial performance.
Sapura Energy has seen substantial investments from state-owned Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) through funds such as Amanah Saham Bumiputera but the firm has faced continued financial trouble.
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What else is happening?
Rafizi Ramli, who is contesting for the deputy president position, called for the PKR polls to be temporarily suspended pending improvements to the system including concerns that people were able to vote multiple times.
Hasmiza Othman, better known as "Vida", landed in trouble with the MCMC for being in a Hari Raya video with drag queens.
Afifi Al-Akiti, a religious figure who advises the Perak sultan, resigned from his position after a video emerged accusing him of visiting a nightclub.
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What are people saying?
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