After more than an hour’s delay, the embattled Bukit Bendera Umno division annual general meeting (AGM) finally opened with a grand entrance by its controversial former chief Ahmad Ismail, who received a hero’s welcome.

penang bukit bendera umno division agm 080810 02 Ahmad ( left with sash ) - who has vowed not to recontest his former post despite previous talk of the division exco having resigned en-bloc to set the stage for his return to leadership - entered the hall trailed by youths carrying bunga manggar and pounding the kompang .

A silat group later performed in his honour, after which division delegates conferred two titles upon Ahmad: ‘Bintang Perkasa Melayu Jati’ and ‘Wira Bangsa’.

penang bukit bendera umno division agm 080810 03 The 100-odd delegates and observers then shouted “ Hidup Melayu ” (long live the Malays) and “ Hidup Umno ” (long live Umno) three times.

During his opening speech, state Umno information chief Musa Syed Fadhil said he was impressed with the delegates’ attendance today, which he said indicated that Penang Malays were not weak and will rise again.

'Don't play with fire'

“Don’t try to test the patience of the Malays of Penang, because it has a limit,” he said adding, “Do not play with fire.”

Musa also apologised on behalf of Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahidi who was unable to attend the meeting.

penang bukit bendera umno division agm 080810 medals Fiery rhetoric aside, the AGM at the Eastin Hotel today promises to be a dull affair as all the 25 division leaders and committee members have been nominated without contest.

However, the delegates seem excited by their former chief’s presence, applauding each time Ahmad’s name was mentioned.

The division has been plagued by controversy ever since Ahmad was suspended for three years in 2008 for making derogatory remarks against the Chinese community.

He was prematurely reinstated last year and looked set to regain his position thanks to the efforts of all 36 members of the division exco, until his shock announcement last week that he would withdraw from the divisional election.

Unfazed by police report

Meanwhile, in Butterworth, Bukit Bendera Umno division Youth chief Rose Akmar Ahmed lodged a police report , holding the state leadership responsible for not notifying members about the AGM held today.

penang bukit bendera umno division agm 080810 silat performance Rose Akmar, who is also Kampung Mutiara protem committee chairperson, claimed that he was only met by a representative of the state leadership, who handed him a notice to attend the AGM, which he flatly refused to do as the notification should have been sent 14 days ago following the standard procedures.

However, at a press conference after the AGM, Musa ( centre in photo ) dismissed the police report as it was lodged by only one member from the division.

“Those who were not satisfied should have sent a complaint letters to us. Without a letter, I will not be able to do anything. For me, this AGM was done according to rules,” he said.

penang bukit bendera umno division agm 080810 01 “It’s ridiculous if only one person lodges a report. It only makes sense if at least 50 percent of delegates complain on the procedure,” he added.

Musa explained that only delegates from Bukit Mewah and Kampung Mutiara branches were not present today because “they had other things to do”. 

Bkt Bendera Umno AGM: Police report lodged