KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and 19 other leaders of the ruling coalition government have been invited to the 2023 Umno annual general meeting (AGM) from June 7 to 10, contrary to earlier news reports suggesting otherwise.

Umno secretary general Datuk Seri Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Anwar and the other leaders have been invited as guests-of-honour to the main gathering on June 9, but won’t be addressing party delegates.

"This year we are a little different because the AGM on that day will also be attended by the PM together with the 19 presidents of the parties under the unity government,” he told a news conference at the Umno headquarters here this afternoon.

He added that it was a significant moment in Umno’s history to officially have allies who are not in the same coalition officially attend its general assembly.

Asyraf also said representatives from its political partners will be invited to attend the Umno wing assemblies that kick off on June 7, refuting earlier news reports.

Malay daily Harian Metro previously reported Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh saying his wing will not invite its counterparts from other friendly political parties to its assembly as the focus is on internal matters.

"There is an invitation. We will see if they have it. At the AGM level, we invite party representatives. I believe that Women, Youth and Puteri will follow through with their AGMs,” Asyraf said.

He said the 2023 Umno AGM will launch next Wednesday with the three wings and their debates will be held the following day.

The main event will be next Friday where Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is delivering his opening speech, followed by speeches from selected division leaders from each state.

Asyraf said Umno vice-presidents and wing chiefs will close the assembly on June 10.

He said 6,341 Umno delegates are expected to attend the four-day event.

"Umno women 1,159 people, Umno Youth 1,160 people, Puteri will be 1,134 people. Total is 6,341 not including the observers,” he said.

Anwar entered the Umno headquarters for the first time in 25 years last month to attend the Unity Government Convention where he spoke to 5,000 delegates from various parties.

The Pakatan Harapan chairman was once an Umno leader who was sacked in the late 1990s following corruption and sodomy charges, which led him to co-founded Parti Keadilan Nasional, the precursor to PKR.