UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has shot down claims by former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin of “imported” delegates infiltrating the party’s annual general meeting at Dewan Merdeka in the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur as “a malicious and slanderous accusation”.
He said he had personally requested the party’s permanent chairman (Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruddin) to instruct those who were non-delegates to leave the hall prior to the voting on the motion of no-contest for UMNO’s two top posts of president and deputy president.
“We are confident that the wild accusation is 100% false,” he pointed out in a media statement accessible from his Twitter account.
“Cards with photo of delegates were worn throughout the general assembly. Each delegate and their ‘neighbours’ knew each other. The emcee had also informed delegates to remain seated on their chairs (during the voting process).”
For context, Khairy had alleged through a video posted by Malay news portal Malaysia Gazette that there was a conspiracy by some delegates to “bulldoze” the said motion in order for it to be approved at the UMNO general assembly yesterday (Jan 14).
Commenting further on the video that went viral, Ahmad who is also the Pontian MP clarified that UMNO’s Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has confirmed that the individuals in the video were members of the “Skuad Sabil” (a uniform body under the UMNO Youth movement) who were entrusted to manage and maintain harmony inside and outside of Dewan Merdeka.
“The location featured in the video is that of Terengganu Room which is the room dedicated as the secretariat of ‘Skuad Sabil’,” he noted.
Ahmad further cleared the air that the motion in question was not an “illegal motion” as claimed by the party’s detractors.
“Soon after the speech and proposal of the Negri Sembilan (Rembau) delegate which was seconded by a Terengganu delegate, I’ve sought the advice of UMNO lawyers. They said the motion method does not breach Article 20 of the UMNO Conference Rules.”
“The party’s secretary has organised the UMNO general assembly most prudently, orderly and with high level of efficiency. Let’s move forward with the noble slogan “United, Loyal and Ready to Serve”. – Jan 15, 2023
