SHAH ALAM - "There are no portraits of leaders or decorations that are permanent in Dewan Merdeka," said Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
In a two-minute video posted on Facebook on Monday, he clarified that Dewan Merdeka is owned by the World Trade Centre (WTC), which is open for rental to the public or whoever wants to host an event in the hall.
"For the Umno General Assembly, Umno or WTC had decorated Dewan Merdeka with Umno flags, including the portraits of former leaders of the party.
"But for other events, there will not be any pictures or portraits of leaders in the hall, including the recently held Unity Government National Convention.
"Therefore, there are no issues of covering any portraits or removing any portraits because there are actually no portraits of leaders or any other decorations, for that matter, that are permanent in the hall," he added.
On Sunday, Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein criticised the Unity Government’s decision to hold the National Convention at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre, last Saturday (May 14), dubbing it "strange".
He also alluded to the notion that Umno’s top leadership had disrespected former party leaders by removing their portraits.
Stating that he understood the convention was important, he found it strange that it had to be held at the Umno headquarters.
Clarifying further, Asyraf Wajdi said portraits of former Umno leaders are put up based on the organiser's needs and likings, depending on the events that are hosted.