Censorship, closed doors at AGM - hard to gauge Umno's true state

UMNO AGM | The long-awaited Umno general assembly for 2020 finally got underway today after being postponed for months due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

As expected, the event has mainly focused on attacking Bersatu as highlighted in speeches from party leaders such as Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, and Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

However, in actuality, when the Umno Youth, Woman and Puteri wings' assemblies concluded this evening, it was still hard for media and political observers to surmise if the different factions in Umno could arrive at a consensus on severing ties with Bersatu.

It was also difficult to judge if Umno will enter the next general election as a united team.

This is as delegates' speeches were made behind closed doors, making it difficult for media and political analysts to judge the overall sentiment of Umno.

A delayed telecast of a selected few debates was broadcasted at the media room at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur but only hours after the actual speeches.

The speeches that were screened mainly echoed the party's decision to cut ties with Bersatu and strengthen cooperation with PAS under Muafakat Nasional.

The speakers also condemned Bersatu which had taken in 15 defectors from Umno after the 2018 general election.

One of the key leaders opposing the split with Bersatu, former Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa, claimed on social media that the party was suppressing the voice of dissidents at the AGM.

This included allegations of replacing speakers who were not approved by Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

If true, this would mean that even Umno members tuning in to the AGM from home via secure teleconferencing would be denied the views of those who disagreed with the president.

Speeches by top leaders also sought to demonise dissenters.

Mohamad, in his speech, said a hidden enemy could pose a threat in destroying Umno from within.

Decision tomorrow

Umno Youth, meanwhile, called on Zahid not to sign the candidacy forms of hypocrites in the party.

While both Mohamad and Asyraf stopped short of naming their colleagues, it is believed they were referring to Umno ministers and leaders - such as Annuar - who are in support of maintaining ties with Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional

Delegates Malaysiakini met at PWTC also shared similar sentiments against Bersatu and alleged Umno traitors.

Despite the alleged orchestration, however, it does seem that not everyone is in tune.

In an immediate reaction to the Umno deputy president's speech that went all out to slam Bersatu, party leaders from Perlis still expressed scepticism over the party's current direction.

Responding to Mohamad's claim that Umno was playing second fiddle, supreme council member Shahidan Kassim insisted that the party was actually the "biggest" component in the PN government albeit with some dubious math.

Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Zahidi Zainul Abidin also warned that Umno would remain on the opposition bench if it entered general elections without cooperation from others.

The Umno general assembly continues tomorrow with the main body meeting when a final decision is expected to be made on severing ties with Bersatu.