UMNO AGM The 2016 Umno general assembly began today with the opening ceremony performed by party President Najib Razak at Dewan Merdeka, Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur.

The opening ceremony began with a parade and hoisting of the Umno flag.

Najib arrived at 9am with his wife Rosmah Mansor and were received by Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Puteri chief Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

Donning blue 'baju melayu', Najib was escorted by Umno vice-president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to the special stage to receive the salute from the parade commander Mohamad Akmal Mohd Tajul Ariffin and 150 members of the three Umno wings.

The Umno president then hoisted the Umno flag 'Sang Saka Bangsa' while those present sang the party song 'Bersatu, Bersetia, Berkhidmat'.

Earlier, Khairy was given the honour to head the parade in conjunction with the opening of the general assembly.

The honour was given to Khairy by Umno in appreciation of him being conferred the rank of brigadier-general in the Territorial Army effective Jan 14, 2015.

At the ceremony, the theme song of this year's assembly 'Melayu Bersatu' was also sung by a choir group from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam.

After the ceremony, Najib then moved to Dewan Merdeka to deliver his policy speech and launch the 2016 general assembly before the 2,762 delegates.

Before the policy speech, a financial and membership report will be tabled by treasurer Salleh Said Keruak and party secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

The assembly takes place for five days from Tuesday.

- Bernama