KUALA LUMPUR: The approved motion of 'no contest' for the top two positions in Umno is valid, said Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
Ahmad said the motion, which the Umno delegates approved during the party general assembly, was discussed beforehand and legal advice was sought pertaining to the matter.
"The motion is not illegal as some have accused. I have sought legal advice from Umno lawyers after several proposals were presented by delegates from Negeri Sembilan and supported by delegates from Terengganu.
"The lawyers mentioned that the proposal followed Article 20 of the Umno's general assembly rules," he said in a statement today.
At the same time, Ahmad also denied claims that 'phantom delegates' were brought in to add to the number of people who will lend support for the 'no-contest' motion.
"Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki has confirmed the matter. The men were the Sabil squad officers who were tasked to control the situation inside and outside the hall.
"The location of the video was at Bilik Terengganu, which the squad secretariat was assigned," he said.
Yesterday, a claim surfaced about a 'Merdeka Hall Move' to ensure the additional motion for a no-contest stance for Umno's top two posts to be passed without any hindrance at the general assembly.
Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin said 'phantom delegates' were being brought in to add to the number of people who will lend their support for the voice vote for the additional motion.
He said some of the tags of delegates, which were initially pasted on seats in Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, were removed to make way for unknown delegates to be part of the vote.