SHAH ALAM - Umno should invite the unity government party leaders to the party's annual general assembly (AGM) as a sign of courtesy, say experts.
International Islamic University political analyst Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmood said it is important that all parties in the unity government should be invited to the AGM as a matter of courtesy, at least during the opening ceremony.
"It is a show of solidarity in the current government. If not, perception will arise that the unity government is a marriage of convenience.
He is also of the opinion that Umno will extend invitation to the unity government party leaders as a sign of friendship.
"Personally, I feel they will be invited as Umno wants to project a picture of unity and friendship,” he told Sinar Daily.
Echoing Ahmad Kamal’s view, Universiti Teknologi Mara political analyst Dr Abdul Aziz Azizam said that Umno should invite leaders of the unity government parties to demonstrate the stability of the unity government that has been formed today.
"Umno should invite the leaders from DAP and PKR, AMANAH and others,
"If you look back to my past, even the Chinese Communist Party was invited to attend the Umno general assembly, it shouldn't be problem for Umno to invite the parties which it has formed the government with,” he added.
However, International Islamic University political analyst Dr Syaza Shukri, however, opined that it was purely up to decide whether they want to invite other party leaders.
"I think it is the party’s prerogative to invite the leaders during the opening but I see it as a non-issue because they are just parties working together under a grand coalition for the sake of stability,” she said.
The AGM 2022 was postponed from last month to Jan 13 to introduce two amendments to the party constitution.
The general assembly is expected to be attended by 5,523 delegates, including from the party’s three wings and 675 information chiefs from 191 divisions nationwide.