KUALA LUMPUR: The decision to amend the party constitution with regards to party polls is to avoid any split in Umno, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

       The party deputy president said if the party poll was called before the general election, it could cause disunity and create splits within the party ranks.

       "I do not want to see the party splitting. There will be some sort of split (if it is held). It will be suicidal," he said at a press conference after launching a forum at the party headquarters today (May 11).

       The Umno extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to amend the party constitution will be held on Sunday (May 15).

       It will be held at Dewan Merdeka World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, followed by a double celebration for Umno's anniversary and Hari Raya AidilFitri.

       The EGM was aimed at approving the proposed party constitutional amendment so that the party's polls would be held within six months after the general election (GE) was held.

       Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had said the motion to allow the amendments was approved at the Umno general assembly in March last year.

       Mohamad Hasan said that once the general election is concluded, party members are free to participate in the party polls.

       "Then whoever has the intention to contest for any position, they can go ahead," he added.

       Meanwhile, Mohamad reiterated that the party's top leadership will make the final decision on the Muafakat Nasional charter.

       Other comments made by Umno or other party leaders should be seen as a personal view, he noted.

       The Muafakat charter was signed on Sept 14, 2019, by PAS and Umno.

       Among others, it states that the parties agreed to cooperate for the development of the Islamic and Malay narrative without denying the diversity of religion, race and culture as being central to the political stability, racial harmony and peace of the country.

       However, PAS officially joined Perikatan Nasional as a component memberAug 20 last year, which triggered uneasiness among the Umno grassroots.

       Perikatan consists of Bersatu, PAS, Gerakan, Sabah STAR, and the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

       Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had previously also said that its party's 191 divisions would deliberate on the Muafakat pact when it meets during the party's annual general meeting on Dec 18.