Umno’s direction in govt, ‘Rumah Bangsa’ among top motions for AGM

The Umno general assembly is set to take place from Wednesday to Saturday next week in Kuala Lumpur. The assembly will discuss 157 motions submitted by the party's 191 divisions nationwide. Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno secretary-general, revealed that the most prominent topics for debate include Umno's role within the unity government and the party's Rumah Bangsa program. Rumah Bangsa is a scheme aimed at helping individuals or groups return to or join the party.

Delegates are encouraged to openly discuss any issues, including recent legal actions against BN leaders or calls for an early general election. They will be representing their respective branches, divisions, and states, not themselves personally. At a press conference, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi suggested that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim should call for the next general election (GE16) sooner rather than waiting for the full five-year term.

The relationship between BN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) has become tense since the formation of an alliance between the two parties during the Negeri Sembilan election, which resulted in a two-thirds majority. Despite Umno extending an invitation to Anwar, the BN faction did not reciprocate in the following years. Instead, Umno invited PAS leaders to this year's general assembly, showing appreciation for PAS's invitation to Umno leaders to attend the Islamic party's muktamar.