Umno Constitution Allows Egms, Says Ku Li

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama) -- The Umno constitution allows the party's divisions to hold extraordinary general meetings (EGMs), Gua Musang Umno Division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah said today.
"The party's constitution allows it. I'm not saying it is against the spirit but if you want to have an extraordinary general meeting, there's nothing to stop it. It's allowed by the constitution.
"But whether they can finally get as many (divisions) to hold similar meetings so that you can have an extraordinary general assembly is another matter," he told newsmen after attending the official opening of the first session of the 12th Parliament, here today.
Tengku Razaleigh, who is MP for Gua Musang, was commenting on Umno president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad's statement yesterday for all party divisions to stop holding EGMs to discuss the party's problems and to call for leaders to step down.
Tengku Razaleigh said this would only encourage people to express their opinions in unlawful ways. "The leaders are summoning people to have meetings with them. Why can't they encourage people to have meetings according to procedures set by the party constitution?" he said.
Former Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Radzi Sheikh Ahmad told Bernama that holding an EGM now was a waste of time as the party general assembly would be held in December.
"There is not much time left to do it (hold an EGM). If they want to, let's say, propose a motion to abolish the quota system, they need half of the total number of divisions to hold EGMs. Only then can we hold a special general meeting.
"But branch level meetings are going to start soon, in July, so there is not enough time to do it, even if it's allowed by the constitution," he said.
Jerlun MP Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said he disagreed with the Umno president that no EGMs be held because it was the right of the party members.
"I feel it was not proper for the (party) president to have stated that EGMs were not necessary because it is the right of members at the divisional level to decide whether an EGM is necesary or not," he said when met at the Parliament lobby.
Mukhriz said no division should be prohibited from holding an EGM.
He said he hoped that Umno branch heads would be given the opportunity to express their feelings through a question-and-answer session at a meeting to be held with the party president soon.
"I feel it would be meaningless if these leaders coming from around the country to meet the president are not given the opportunity to speak. Let them convey their message and feelings directly to the president," he said.

tunku : pak lah has no right to tell the umno members not to hold egm but at the same time time is running out for the divisions to hold their egm and they need to speed up their pace if they want it.