AGC and Umno contest challenge against no-contest decision by trio.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and Umno expressed objections on Wednesday (July 26) towards the application for leave for judicial review submitted by three individuals. The applicants aimed to challenge the decision made by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in approving Umno’s request to exempt its top two posts from contestation in the party elections.

The three individuals who filed the application on May 15 are Satarriah Abdul Karim and Zaidi Abdul Majid from Kampung Bukit C2 Lembah Pantai Umno branch, and P. Vellasamy from Lembah Pantai MIC branch. They named Saifuddin, the Registrar of Societies (RoS), and Umno as respondents.

Representing the AGC, senior federal counsel Ahmad Hanir Hambaly objected to the application, arguing that the decision being challenged by the applicants cannot be subject to judicial review. This is because the minister’s decision is related to the internal affairs of a political party. He also stated that the three applicants lack the necessary standing to file the legal action.

Meanwhile, Umno’s counsel Datuk Mohd Hafarizam Harun contested the standing of the applicants Satarriah and Zaidi, claiming that they have been automatically terminated as Umno members and therefore lack the necessary standing to seek leave for judicial review against the party. He further asserted that Vellasamy, as an MIC member, also lacks standing because he is not adversely affected by Umno’s additional motion and the Home Minister’s decision on March 7.

Thalia Rohaina Abdul Latiff, the lawyer representing the three applicants, argued that the application is meritorious and should be heard by the court as it involves an administrative decision made by the RoS.

Judge Amarjeet fixed Aug 30 for the decision regarding the application.

In their application, the applicants stated that during the 2022 Umno General Assembly held from Jan 11 to 14, 2023, an additional motion was proposed to allow uncontested elections for the party’s presidency and deputy presidency. They claimed that the RoS director-general deemed this resolution invalid and instructed Umno to rectify it. However, on March 7, Saifuddin announced that the ministry had granted an exemption to Umno, allowing them to bypass the relevant provisions of the Societies Act under Section 70.