2018 Umno General Assembly less merry
KUALA LUMPUR: The first time the Umno General Assembly was held this year with the party as an opposition, the atmosphere at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here was seen less lively than in previous years.
The permanent location of the annual gathering remained the focus of the delegates nationwide to attend the assembly which began last night with the opening of the Women, Youth and Puteri Wings General Assembly, and would end today, but the attendance of the people was somewhat muted this year.
Songket cloth vendor Nik Kamariah Mustapha, 63, from Kota Bharu, Kelantan conceded that the atmosphere of the assembly this time was not as vibrant as before.
Nik Kamariah, who had traded at the assembly for 30 years, said that since her stall opened on Friday, only 10 pieces of songket were sold and the amount was very small compared to previous years
“In the past, sales could reach RM70,000 or RM80,000 in a fiveday assembly. But this assembly is only for three days so I do not know how many I can sell. I hope to sell at least RM30,000 to get back my capital, “she told Bernama.
A Kota Putera State Assembly constituency Wanita Umno delegation observer from Besut, Terengganu Kamariah Salim, 64, who had been “loyal” to the assembly since the age of 40 years, felt that the previous excitement was gone.
“The people are also not that many compared to previously. Normally, the main lobby is congested, One also had to queue up to use the toilet because it’s crowded, but the spirit is eroded somewhat, but in its absence, we still come voluntarily. The gathering is akin to a tradition which we indeed await, “she said.
However, Sabah’s Kalabakan Umno Division Puteri delegate, Dewi Susanti Suparman, 32, said the excitement was still there but the three-day conference compared to five previously made it appear less so.
A Bernama’s survey found that, in terms of preparation, the assembly was no less than past years, with the halls, spaces and main pillars at PWTC also decorated with various posters, graphics, banners and flags.
The media area was available for 562 media workers from 52 agencies in the print and electronic media comprising 39 locals and seven international bodies covering the 70-year-old party’s gathering.
For exhibition and sale spaces, about 100 outlets also enlivened the assembly by selling various small and medium industries’ products including textiles, food and beverages. - Bernama