SEVERAL attendees commented that the latest UMNO general assembly had fewer attendees than prior sessions, with one attributing the low turnout to party differences.
A grassroots leader from Johor who spoke on the condition of anonymity claimed the mood at the general assembly earlier this month was dismal.
“It was not like how it used to be. The mood this time around was very down. People within the party are divided. Some are not happy with the leadership while others have chosen to join the party, which they think champions Malay rights,” Free Malaysia Today reported the leader as saying, referring to Bersatu.
Another grassroots leader from Tapah agreed that this year’s assembly saw a smaller gathering of delegates.
According to the leader who declined to be named, it saddens him as an old-timer in UMNO.
His peers did not want to attend because they do not have faith in the leadership and many of those who attended the assembly did so to show solidarity for former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Throughout the assembly, numerous participants held up placards demanding justice for the former UMNO president who is currently imprisoned.
A third grassroots leader from Negri Sembilan who also spoke on condition of anonymity said he only attended the assembly to be appraised of the party’s plans for the coming state elections.
“But the moment I walked into the hall on the first day, I sensed that we would not do well in the state elections. The UMNO assembly is the party’s biggest event but unlike before, we did not see large numbers of people this time,” he added.
Moreover, a youth leader from Kuala Lumpur agreed there was a lower turnout but rubbished claims that it was on account of dissatisfaction with the present leadership.
He claimed that due to a lack of funding to organise events, transport members, and cater food, fewer members attended the gathering. – June 16, 2023
