Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today reaffirmed that the Umno general assembly will take place on Dec 5 as scheduled.

This announcement would mean that it is less likely that a general election would be called this year. BN's mandate ends in the middle of next year.

"The general assembly is confirmed for Dec 5. We will ensure that the assembly is a, God willing, meriah (jovial) affair which will be well received," he said.