UMNO AGM | At least once every year, the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Kuala Lumpur will have a 'festive' event when Umno members from all levels converge to attend the party's annual general assembly (AGM).

The atmosphere at the convention centre would be lively and colourful and small traders would use the opportunity to boost sales during the several days the assembly is held.

However, it is different this year. The giant space in the middle of PWTC is unusually quiet and solemn despite Umno having its annual meeting at the premises beginning yesterday.

For Nosimah Hashim, a 70-year-old Wanita Umno delegate from the Pandan division, the loneliness really surprised her this time, after having attended the assembly almost every year since she joined the party two decades ago.

"I feel really sad this year... not many of my friends could attend this assembly. Even PWTC is not filled to the brim like what usually was the case for previous AGMs," she said.

The woman also missed the joy of the shopping spree she and her friends would have every time Umno held its assembly. "Now it is not fun anymore because there are no shops," she said.

Sharing Nosimah's sentiment was Cameron Highlands Wanita Umno delegate Aminah Abdul Wahid who felt awkward seeing the empty lobby of PWTC.

On top of that, this year's assembly was also accompanied by strict rules for delegates to comply with.

"The SOPs are so strict. We have to wear face masks at all times and are not allowed to walk in groups. Delegates also have to use the MySejahtera app wherever we enter.

"But this is also for our own good. With the Covid-19 situation now, it is better that we take precautions," she added.

During previous Umno assemblies at PWTC, the centre was not only filled by party members but also members of the public who visited the shops and booths there.

Fleets of buses also added to the already-packed destination as they brought in delegates and observers from all over the country.

However, Malaysiakini found that this year, not a single booth was set up at PWTC while Umno members who are not delegates to the assembly were not allowed to enter.

Media personnel were also confined to an area provided by the organiser where they could only access delayed video feeds of debates taking place in the halls of PWTC.

For Punyariah Kollang, while she believed that this year's Umno AGM has lost its shine, she still chose to look on the bright side.

"It has lost its shine but it is special now that we have our new norm. We still can gather despite being in a limited number. We also can hold a virtual meeting, and this is a new norm that is exciting," said the Semporna Umno delegate.

Punyariah also hopes that the new norm will continue even when Covid-19 is no longer a threat.

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Reporting by Kow Gah Chie, Haspaizi Zain, Ng Xiang Yi, Ramieza Wahid and Low Choon Chyuan