Umno scales down AGM, will only last two days

This year's Umno national delegates’ assembly will be a two-day, weekend affair, down from the usual five days.

The carnival-like annual event was typically held in late November or early December. This year, however, it will be held late September.

Party sources told Malaysiakini that the Umno women, youth, and puteri wings will hold their meeting on Sept 29, while the main body will meet on Sept 30.

The Putra World Trade Centre, which Umno owns, will still be the venue for the assembly.

Malaysiakini understands that among reasons for scaling down the event was the fact that the party was no longer in a position to compel the federal government to heed its resolutions.

Previously, the party had dedicated two days each for the wings and its main body to debate motions on politics, economy and religion.

Once resolutions were made, it would be forwarded to the prime minister, who was then also the Umno president.

Meanwhile, sources told Malaysiakini that government-linked agencies will not be setting up booths at the second and third floor during the event, unlike during previous years.

However, a section in PWTC will still be open for traders, which typically used to take up the entire Dewan Tun Razak 4 exhibition hall in the past.

This time, according to a source, booths for merchants will be set up on the second floor near the Riverside café.

Malaysiakini and other news websites were previously barred from entering the halls where the assemblies took place, therefore had to rely only on monitors in the open area to cover proceedings.

It is unclear if this practice will remain. - Mkini