UMNO will become the first political party to make its annual general meeting fully accessible online when the party meets on March 27 and 28.

This includes the party members’ debates, which regularly receive media attention for their racially charged and often incendiary rhetoric.

In comparison, Bersatu and MCA have preferred to hold their debates behind closed doors during their recent AGMs.

“The president, deputy president and all the wing chiefs’ policy speeches and debates will be aired on Facebook Live and Umno Online,” said party media officer Mohd Nasri Zakariah in a press call at Putra World Trade Centre today.

“This will include the delegates’ debate speeches,” he added.

The 2020 Umno general assembly (PAU 2020) will discuss politics, economy, social, religion and the Covid-19 pandemic, said party secretary-general Ahmad Maslan in a statement.

Ahmad could not be present at today’s briefing.

Deputy party president Mohamad Hasan will launch the Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri conferences on March 27, he said.

“President Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will deliver his policy speech on March 28 followed by the delegates’ debate,” said Ahmad.

The National Security Council has approved the plans for PAU 2020.

“Due to the various Covid-19 SOPs, the meetings will be smaller with half the delegates attending physically while the others will attend online,” said Nasri.

“Media personnel will not be allowed inside the main function halls but can cover the proceedings online from the media room,” he added.

Unlike previous PAUs, there will be no observers or non delegates at PWTC this year.

Nasri, however, could not provide information on how many delegates will be attending PAU 2020.

“We will inform the media at a later date.”

The Wanita, Pemuda and Puteri wings will meet simultaneously on March 27 while the main delegate will convene on March 28. – March 23, 2021.