UMNO postpones party elections to focus on 16th General Election preparations

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 — UMNO has postponed its party elections until after the 16th General Election (GE16) to concentrate on internal strength for upcoming state and national polls, Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said.

The delay aims to prioritize election preparations over internal party contests, Asyraf Wajdi stated.

"Our focus is on the elections first. If we get busy with elections later, there will be all sorts of stories," he said.

He was responding to UMNO President Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement yesterday that the party will only hold elections after GE16.

The postponement is based on constitutional amendments approved at UMNO's Special General Assembly in 2022.

These amendments allow delaying elections by up to 18 months from the original date or no more than six months after a general election.

UMNO's last party elections were held in 2023, with the positions of President and Deputy President uncontested.

Asyraf Wajdi also confirmed that UMNO has not received any formal application from former Youth Chief Khairy Jamaluddin to rejoin the party.