KUALA LUMPUR: Umno delegates could shape the party’s position on whether to remain or leave the unity government when they meet at the party’s annual general assembly next week.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the 157 motions received from divisions included matters concerning the party’s political direction and cooperation, particularly within the framework of the unity government.
He said the general assembly was the highest platform for determining Umno’s policies and direction and the party leadership would have to abide by any decision made by the delegates.
“If the general assembly decides, then the leadership has to follow. The general assembly is the highest platform in determining the party’s direction,” he said at a press conference ahead of the 2026 Umno general assembly.
Asyraf Wajdi said the leadership would not restrict delegates from debating any issues they considered important, including whether Umno should continue its cooperation in the unity government.
He said Umno’s decision to participate in the unity government had previously been given legitimacy through the party’s supreme council, as no general assembly was held when the administration was formed.
He said the supreme council made the decision in accordance with the party constitution, which provides that it has the highest authority to determine the party’s policies and direction in the absence of a general assembly.
The possibility of an earlier general election could also be raised at the assembly, with Asyraf Wajdi saying this was among issues being discussed by the grassroots.
He said Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had also raised the matter, while November would mark four years since the current government was formed.
Asyraf Wajdi said federal elections had traditionally been held before a government reached the full five-year term, with the period generally ranging from about three years and five months to four years.
“This is not something unusual. Whether it is an early election or not, that is among the things that can be debated by the delegates,” he said.
Asyraf Wajdi stressed that the party would not prevent delegates from raising current issues as they represented the views of the grassroots.
“What is raised is not an individual’s voice, but the voice of the grassroots from their respective branches, divisions and states.
“It would not be appropriate for the headquarters to limit what they can or cannot raise,” he said.
He said any decision on the party’s direction would ultimately have to be determined through the appropriate party platform.
The four-day 2026 Umno general assembly will be held from Sept 9 to 12 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, Asyraf Wajdi said the proposed Mara hospital will be open to patients regardless of race and will not prioritise Bumiputera patients.
He said the facility, if established, would be accessible to everyone.
“The hospital is not only for Bumiputera. Anyone can come for treatment,” he said.
He added that the proposal was aimed at strengthening Mara’s existing healthcare education and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Mara announced on Aug 24 that it had formed a special task force to study the establishment of its first hospital.
Asyraf Wajdi also hit back at calls by PKR Youth wing Angkatan Muda Keadilan for him to be investigated over the Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) into the management of Lembaga Tabung Haji.
Asyraf Wajdi, who is also Mara chairman, said there was no basis to link him to the RCI as his name was not mentioned in the report and he had never been implicated in the Tabung Haji issue.
He described the call as an attempt to create perceptions aimed at tarnishing his reputation and the image of Mara.
