KUALA LUMPUR: The amendment of Umno’s constitution to enable party elections to be held six months after the 15th General Election will not influence the date of election itself, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

       He explained that the amendment was an internal party matter while the date of the general election would be determined by the government based on the decision of the Cabinet.

       “The party is different from the government.

       “The party also understands that if there are any proposal, it has to be brought to the Cabinet.

       “Once the Cabinet has decided on the date, it will give the mandate to me to discuss it with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

       “That is based on the procedure,” he told reporters after the party’s extraordinary general meeting (EGM) at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

       Asked if the next general election would be held this year, the Prime Minister replied: “We should wait first. If I tell you earlier, you will know it much earlier already.”

       Earlier, Umno unanimously passed the amendment to the party constitution to postpone party elections to after the general election.

       The amendment was unanimously approved by 2,586 delegates during the EGM.

       Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin proposed the amendment while Ismail Sabri seconded it.

       The new amendment will add an extra provision that the party supreme council can postpone the party polls up to 18 months or within six months after a general election, whichever is later.

       Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno vice-president, said the passing of the amendment to the party constitution would not affect the date of the GE15 as it involved two separate matters.

       Asked if Umno was prepared to face an election, Ismail Sabri said Umno had been prepared for “a very long time”.

       “It’s not just because of today (the EGM),” he added.

       Asked to further comment on whether the amendment would be accepted by the Registrar of Societies (ROS), he said it would be up to the government agency.

       “The motion has been passed unanimously. After this, Umno will write to ROS to get its approval.

       “We have 60 days to submit the application to ROS,” he said.