The 2011 Umno General Assembly will kick off with a pre-council meeting this afternoon where party president Najib Razak is scheduled to deliver an important message to the delegates.

The president's message has been anticipated by many as the most important message in view of the party's preparation for the upcoming 13th general election.

Wanita, Youth and Puteri assemblies are also scheduled to be opened simultaneously by Deputy President Muhyiddin Yassin at 9pm today.

In the afternoon, Muhyiddin is also expected to officiate the closing of the International Forum on The Politics of Economic and Social Transformation in The Era of Global Crisis, which began yesterday.

A total of 5,447 delegates will attend the assembly, comprising 2,627 from 191 Umno divisions, 944 Wanita, 942 Youth and 934 Puteri members nationwide.

Foreign delegates include Communist Party of China

Fifty-eight foreign delegates from 20 countries, including six from the Communist Party of China, 11 from Mamafisoa Party of Madagascar, three from the Palestine Liberation Movement (Fatah) and two from the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (Coppal) will also attend the assembly.

Seventy-four Umno Overseas Clubs are also sending their representatives.

A total 1,540 members of the media from 74 local media organisations and nine international organisations are covering the assembly.

- Bernama

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