UMNO AGM | Former government propaganda director Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz has hit out at Umno leaders who criticised party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's direction after having not taken part in retreats to formulate the direction.

Speaking as a Federal Territories delegate at the Umno general assembly, Tun Faisal said these retreats involved top national leaders and division leaders from all states.

"I can't accept when those who criticise the president's direction are among those who did not attend (the retreats) and give their views.

"It is a problem when division leaders, MPs did not attend, but question the direction through the media. I can't agree to this," he said.

Tun Faisal did not mention any names and it is not clear who he was referring to.

However, those who have criticised Zahid's policy speech last night as being directionless included Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and Kluang Umno chief Md Jais Sarday.

Faisal said at the said retreats, Umno came up with three points on how to move forward, namely to become a strong opposition, strengthen the party, and create political cooperation.

He said many party members did not understand this and required further briefings from the leadership, which he said was acceptable.

Zahid had expanded his vision for the party's future direction yesterday to include 21 steps.

Khairy, however, said the speech was not clear as to whether the party wants to form a proposed unity government with PAS and other Pakatan Harapan parties.

Others such as Umno supreme council member Tajuddin Abdul Rahman defended Zahid, saying Khairy had a closed mind.