KUALA LUMPUR: A motion to elevate the post of Wanita Umno chief to party deputy president level was passed at Umno’s 73rd general assembly today.
Sources close to the party top leadership confirmed that this was one of the many motions which were proposed and adopted in regards to amendments to the party’s constitution.
Sources said the move to elevate the Wanita Umno chief position from the current vice-president to deputy president was approved unanimously during a closed-door meeting.
“The amendment also automatically raises the position of Wanita Umno division chief position equivalent to the Umno division deputy chief.
“The word ‘pergerakan’ (movement) in Wanita will also be removed,” he said.
During the Wanita Umno delegates conference on Wednesday, the movement’s chief Datuk Dr Noraini Ahmad said a motion to elevate the status of wing’s chief to that of a deputy president would be adopted at this year’s general assembly.
Noraini, who is also the Parit Sulong member of parliament, said this was in recognition of the wing, which has 1.2 million members.
Party sources also said that a motion to award full autonomy to Umno Sabah was also tabled during the meeting.
They said the Sabah Umno Liaison Committee would now be known as Umno Sabah, effectively giving the state body the necessary autonomy.
Other motions tabled at the same meeting included amending the party’s constitution to give more power to Umno division leaders and the party president to decide on election candidates.
The amendments would enable Umno divisions to submit a name list with three candidates to the Umno state information bureau.
“The Umno division chief will then refer the list of candidates directly to the party president for decision,” the sourcesaid at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here.
He said the amendment would empower Umno division chiefs and its president to agree on the candidate that would contest in any by-election.
During the closed door tabling of motions to amend the party’s constitution, it was also proposed that the Umno must provide full autonomy to its Sabah counterpart to determine the state’s leadership as well as the election candidates.
Based on the Umno constitution under Clause 10.2, election candidates are only chosen after consultation with the state Umno and its division committee according to the rules set by the Supreme Council members.
Another motion on the amendment was to highlight any party members who become independent or switched parties, before or after any election, and terminate their memberships immediately.
In the past, any Umno leaders who violatef the rules by switching parties or turning independent candidates would be referred to the party’s disciplinary board.
The Umno membership age limit will also be reduced from 18 to 16 .
“In this amendment it will add another category of membership, allied members as now, there are only two types of memberships: ordinary and collaborative members.
“These allied members will be made up of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals who are Umno members who joined the party with direct membership without having to register with any branches or divisions,” he said.