Anwar Defends Home Minister S Blocking Of Umno Deregistration

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today defended Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail’s decision to grant an exemption to Umno from Societies Act 1966 provisions.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur today, Anwar said - as prime minister and finance minister - he has overturned decisions made by civil servants before.
“For instance, in the past, some officers have been instructed to award contracts (without a bid).
“I overturned those decisions because I think it is better for us to use a tender process. It is more accountable,” he said.
In Saifuddin’s case, Anwar said the law required the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to refer to the minister and the law provided certain powers to the minister.
“The minister has explained the matter,” he said.
Prime Minister Anwar IbrahimPutrajaya has come under scrutiny after Saifuddin revealed that he had invoked Section 70 of the Societies Act 1966 to prevent Umno from being deregistered.
Although Saifuddin was scant on details, even when grilled on the matter in the Dewan Rakyat, it was widely speculated that the matter was related to the ROS disallowing Umno from blocking its top two positions from an election process.
Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution IsmailAccording to Article 9.3 of Umno’s constitution, 32 leadership positions in the party - including the top two - shall be subjected to an election every three years.
However, Umno’s annual delegates assembly - the party’s highest decision-making body - had in January resolved that the top two positions would not be open to contest.
Saifuddin told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that the proper avenue to challenge his decision was in court. - Mkini

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