Umno members may attend Malay Dignity Congress, confirms organiser

The upcoming Malay Dignity Congress is shaping out to be a bipartisan event with the organiser stating that Umno members might be present at the Stadium Malawati in Shah Alam.

However, the event's secretariat chief executive Zainal Kling (above) said he is not sure if Umno leaders would also attend this Sunday's congress, whose organiser claims is being held in wake of the challenges towards the Malays and Islam.

"For now, we have confirmed that PAS, some Umno members, NGOs and the public will be attending.

"For the Umno leadership, we cannot confirm yet. The Umno people who are attending are regular members," he told Malaysiakini.

Zainal said invitations were sent to PAS, Umno, PKR and also Amanah.

"We invited all Malay-majority parties, be it in the opposition or government," he said.

Yesterday, PAS confirmed that its president Abdul Hadi Awang would be attending the event, which is to be officiated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Following this, Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa tweeted that party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also received an invitation.

He said Umno would decide on whether to attend the congress during its management meeting today.

Previously, several Umno leaders accused Mahathir's Bersatu of using the congress for political mileage and that it is being organised to counter the Umno-PAS alliance, cemented on Sept 14.

Prior to this, Zainal said that Mahathir would be present at the congress in his capacity as a Malay leader and not as prime minister. - Mkini