THE sacking and suspension of several Umno members on Friday are valid, party information chief Isham Jalil said, citing the party constitution.

It looks that way.

By article 8.1 of the party constitution, the general assembly is the highest authority in the party. However, in its absence, the Supreme Council reigns supreme (article 9.1).

The powers of the Supreme Council are set out in article 10.6 as follows:

“Menentukan taraf pendaftaran seseorang ahli (mengikut Fasal 5.7), menggantung atau melucutkan keahlian seseorang ahli.”

Clearly, the SC is empowered to decide on membership of the party, which includes the power to suspend and sack any member. Significantly, the power to suspend and sack is not made subject to Article 20 on party discipline and makes provisions on the establishment, membership and powers of the party’s disciplinary board.

The powers of the board, though, do not derogate or take away the powers of the Supreme Council to decide on the status, suspension and sacking of any member (articles 20.4 and 20.10).

The name says it all. Outside of the party’s general assembly, Umno’s Supreme Council is supreme. It is so created by the party constitution itself.

It looks like it is the Supreme Council that is unbowed, unbent, unbroken. – January 9, 2023.

* Hafiz Hassan reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.