This page lists the results of leadership elections held by the United Malays National Organisation. The bonus votes and quota system were in use until 2013. Elections held since 2013 have been on an indirect election with an electoral college comprising electors representing the party's 191 divisions.
A leadership election may result in a new leader, or may confirm the status quo. If the party in question is in government, the election of a new leader will result in a new Prime Minister, Minister, Chief Minister; if the party is the opposition, the election of a new leader will result in a new Opposition Leader, Shadow Minister.
Process
Since 2013
The UMNO's bonus votes and quota system were succeeded by the indirect election with an electoral college comprising electors representing the party's 191 divisions, involving 146,500 UMNO grassroot members got to vote instead of previously limited to only 2,000 over delegates. Umno has 3.3 million members. Delegates from the branches who previously could only choose division office bearers, now have the liberty to choose leaders up to the Supreme Council. And under the previous system, only 2,500 delegates were eligible to choose the party's top line up.
All the ambitious UMNO members who plan to scale the party ranks can register to contest for any position. All they have to do is to hand over their nomination forms for the Wanita, Pemuda, Puteri wings and Supreme Council positions before the deadline for nomination submission.
The new party polling system has opened the doors for anyone registered as a party member for at least one term (three years) to contest at the divisional level.
As for the Supreme Council — members, vice presidents, deputy president and even the president — the minimum requirement is that they have to be division office bearers for at least one term (three years).
1946-1949 leadership elections
Onn Jaafar won uncontested every year from 1946 to 1949.
Onn Jaafar won uncontested as Yang di-Pertua of UMNO on 11 May 1946.
1950 leadership election
Onn Jaafar won 66 votes against 3 votes for Mahmud Mahyudin of Kelantan UMNO.
Onn Jaafar had announced his intention to resign as leader on 12 June 1950.
Few months later, Onn Jaafar was re-elected Yang di-Pertua of UMNO on 27 August 1950, the first day of 5th UMNO Annual General Assembly.
1951 leadership election
Tunku Abdul Rahman, 57 votes
Chik Mohamad Yusuf, 11 votes
Ahmad Fuad Hassan, 7 votes
An election for the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation was triggered by Onn Jaafar's announcement on 25 August 1951, of his intention to resign as leader after years of conflict between Onn's faction of the party and his rival factions. The party's annual general assembly, already scheduled to occur from 25 August to 26 August 1951 in Kuala Lumpur's Majestic Hotel, was organised the party leadership election at the same venue. The party announced Tunku Abdul Rahman as its new Yang di-Pertua on 26 August 1951.
Ahmad Fuad Hassan who was defeated in the party leadership election, left UMNO with his faction. He then became the first Yang di-Pertua of Pan-Malayan Islamic Organisation.
1952-1969 leadership elections
Tunku Abdul Rahman won uncontested every year from 1952 to 1969.
1972 leadership election
Abdul Razak Hussein won uncontested
An election for the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation was triggered by Tunku Abdul Rahman's announcement on 23 January 1971 of his intention to resign as leader. On 23 January 1971, Abdul Razak Hussein was selected to serve as interim leader.
Abdul Razak Hussein won uncontested as President of UMNO on the deadline for nomination confirmation. However, UMNO held its party election for other Supreme Council top posts on 25 June 1972.
1975 leadership election
Abdul Razak Hussein won uncontested
Abdul Razak Hussein won uncontested as President of UMNO on the deadline for nomination confirmation. However, UMNO held its party election for other Supreme Council top posts in 1975.
1978 leadership election
Hussein Onn 898 votes, nominated by
Sulaiman Ahmad "Palestin" 250 votes, nominated by 1 UMNO division
An election for the leadership of the United Malays National Organisation was prompted by outgoing Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein's death due in part of leukaemia. On 14 January 1976, Hussein Onn was selected to serve as interim leader.
Hussein Onn won the election as President of UMNO on 15 September 1978. However, UMNO held its party election for other Supreme Council top posts on 15 September 1978.