HOME Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has invoked the law to exempt Umno from de-registration, following the party’s no-contest decision for its top two posts.

Under section 70 of the Societies Act, the home minister may exempt parties from compliance with the law.

“Referring to Umno’s constitution and meeting rules, the ministry has, in accordance with Section 70 of the act, decided to exempt Umno from compliance with section 13(1)(c)(iv) of the act with regards to the additional motion passed,” he said in a statement today.

Section 13(1)(c)(iv) authorises the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to cancel the registration of a society that violates the act.

On Saturday, the ROS cleared Umno of any wrongdoing in connection with its motion for its president and deputy president to return uncontested.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the verdict.

“The secretary-general received a letter, dated March 3, from the Home Ministry to inform us of the minister’s decision on the motion,” he said.

The ROS is under the purview of the Home Ministry.

Last month, it was reported that ROS was investigating a possible violation of the Umno constitution in relation to the no-contest motion that was passed in the party’s general assembly.

The investigation was initiated after two Umno members filed a report with ROS claiming the motion breached article 10 of the party constitution.

The pair said such a motion must be tabled two weeks before the general assembly, or seven days if it is tabled by the Umno Supreme Council.

Terengganu Umno chairman Ahmad Said had said that the no-contest decision was passed by a large majority of the delegates.

“It has been approved, only a few people did not support it, 90% (representation) gave open support.” – March 7, 2023.