PUTRAJAYA, 21 May 2009: The quota system in Umno will be scrapped if the proposal to abolish it is well received and accepted by delegates at the party’s special assembly end of this year, Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said.
He said a motion for tabling it at the special assembly was approved by the party’s Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
“Once approved, the appropriate amendments will be made to the party’s constitution,” he told a press conference after chairing the committee meeting today.
Hishammuddin said with the quota system scrapped, whoever felt that they were eligible could offer to contest for party posts.
“It is seen as a more transparent and gives more freedom for anyone to offer [him- or herself] for a post if he has the support of party members,” he added.
Under the current quota system, those contesting for the party’s president post are required to be nominated by at least 30% of the 191 Umno divisions; for the deputy president post (20%); vice-president post (10%) and 5% for those vying as members of the party’s supreme council.
Hishammuddin said the meeting also discussed the proposal for all the party’s divisional meetings be held simultaneously, and also on ways to facilitate registration of members and fee payment.
On his meeting with Terengganu Umno leaders last night, Hishammuddin, who is Terengganu Umno liaison chief, said they had all agreed to set aside their differences and give priority to party interests. — Bernama
