Media coverage for next month’s Umno general assembly will be restricted, according to party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

He claimed the decision, the first of its kind, was because online news portals had a tendency to spin the news.

“Because you online portals like twisting (stories)…,” he told Malaysiakini when quizzed on the matter.

On whether the restriction also applied to Umno president Najib Abdul Razak’s opening speech, he replied: “We are still considering whether to allow it (coverage) or otherwise. Same goes for his closing speech.”

“We will not allow (the press) to wander around. We will not even broadcast what is going on in the halls,” he added.

Instead of allowing full coverage of the proceedings, Tengku Adnan said Umno vice-presidents Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Hishammuddin Hussein would hold daily press conferences to update on issues that were raised by delegates.

Tengku Adnan, however, did not mention Shafie Apdal, who was dropped from the cabinet for being critical of 1MDB.

When questioned about Shafie, the Umno secretary-general said: “The other one (Shafie), if he comes back then we will invite him. He was absent yesterday when the supreme council decided on the two (to hold press conferences).”

“I will ask him when he gets back if he wants to go (for the general assembly). If he wants to go, just go. It’s okay,” he added.

Both Shafie and Umno deputy president Muhyiddin Yassin were absent from the Umno supreme council meeting yesterday, where it was speculated that the two would be suspended.

While the two, who are abroad, did not face any action, the supreme council had agreed to sack Gopeng Umno Wanita chief Hamidah Osman, who had also been critical of Najib.

Right to restrict

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed said Umno has the right to restrict media coverage of the AGM as it is a meeting concerning delegates and party members.

“It is the prerogative of Umno to manage media coverage of the assembly.

“The debates in Umno should be available to the delegates attending the meeting,” the Pulai MP told Malaysiakini.

This year’s Umno AGM, to be held from Dec 8 to 12, comes at a time when Najib is facing growing pressure from Umno grassroots.

Yesterday, Hishammuddin said delegates would not be barred from debating the 1MDB and RM2.6 billion political donation issues.