JOHOR BARU: Umno’s top leaders have congregated at the party’s founding place, Istana Besar here, to celebrate its 80th anniversary.
The symbolic gathering on Monday (May 11) morning saw the leaders taking a group photo at the palace’s outdoor staircase to recreate the moment when the party was founded at the same spot on May 11, 1946.
It was learned that His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, made a surprise appearance at the event after returning from his special visit to Moscow, Russia.
It was understood that the Umno supreme council was also granted an audience with Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim during the gathering.
Among the vehicles seen entering the palace grounds were those of Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Umno vice president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin and other state leaders.
The celebration was also said to include a prayer session and lunch.
The Umno supreme council is scheduled to have a meeting at the Johor Umno liaison committee office at 3pm the same day.
Johor Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan said the meeting agenda includes the party’s preparation for the upcoming state election.
The 15th Johor Election was held in March 2022, where Barisan Nasional secured 40 of the 56 seats while Pakatan Harapan won 12, Perikatan Nasional won three and Muda obtained one seat.
