MERSING: Umno is open and ready to look into proposals to amend regulations on the party election system, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
The Umno president, however, said changing the party election system's rules is not a priority at the moment and that it will only be done if necessary or when the time is right.
The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Barisan Nasional chairman, also confirmed that the matter was never discussed in the Umno Supreme Council meeting.
"Umno election will only take place in 2026.
"As such, there are two years from now to change the existing regulation (on the party polls' system) or if the matter needs to be deliberated during the Special Umno General Assembly if it involves amendment to the party constitution," he told reporters after launching the Mersing Umno division delegates' meeting here today.
Present were Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Mersing Umno division chief Mohd Youzaimi Yusof.
Zahid was asked to comment on reports claiming that Umno was planning to return to the previous delegates system to choose top office bearers in the party.
Quoting sources, the portal said the proposal was one of the motions discussed at a party division during its meeting held in the run-up of the Umno General Assembly on Aug 20.
On a related matter, Zahid asked all Umno leaders and members to focus on efforts to strengthen the party instead of issues related to the party polls.
"Let us not think too much on the party polls since it is not going to take place either this year or next year.
"I hope Umno leaders at the national, state, and other levels would focus on works to strengthen the party. This should be our priority," he said.
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