Umno shelves general assembly due to MCO

Umno has postponed its general assembly initially scheduled for the end of this month in keeping with the movement control order (MCO), the party announced today.

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said a new date would be announced, adding that all divisional elections would be carried out this year at a more suitable date.

“Members are also urged to maintain their unity so that we can focus on helping and defending the people duirng these challenging times,” Ahmad added.

The general assembly on Jan 30 and 31 was to have seen debates on three motions critical to Umno’s future political cooperation, following calls by a section of leaders to work with PKR president Anwar Ibrahim.

They comprise a motion on whether the party should work with Bersatu at the next polls, on strengthening its cooperation with PAS, and on calling for a general election in the first quarter of this year.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has come under pressure from senior Youth leaders in several states, who urged the party’s top line-up to make way for reforms and younger leaders.