Umno vice-president Mohd Shafie Apdal hopes the party's annual general assembly next week will run smoothly and become a platform to express the views of party leaders and members.

He said this year's assembly was an important platform to discuss or explain various issues, including in the fields of education, religion and national security.

He said this to reporters after a meet-the-people programme and the handing over of keys to house owners under the Hardcore Poor Housing Project (PPRT) in Pulau Selakan near Semporna today.

At the same time, Mohd Shafie said various parties must abide by and respect the Umno supreme council's decision to let the heads of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings open their respective delegates meetings.

"The decision was done based on the proposal requested by the wings and we have to respect their request," he said.

The AGM from Dec 8 till Dec 12 would kick off with the launch of the wings' delegates meetings while the general assembly proper would be on Dec 10.

Earlier, Shafie who is also Semporna MP handed over keys to six PPRT house owners in the island.

Shafie said he would continue to provide assistance to the people to ensure their needs were met.

- Bernama