KUALA LUMPUR, June 9 — Twenty-five years after he was fired from Umno, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim finally returned to Dewan Merdeka as the guest of honour for the party's 2023 Annual General Assembly.
Clad in a blue traditional baju melayu, Anwar stood out among the seas Umno delegates dressed in red as he marched alongside his deputies Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno president, and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
During Anwar’s entrance, several Umno supporters tried to insert themselves into the procession while holding a poster saying “Justice for Najib”, referring to former PM Datuk Seri Najib Razak who was convicted and imprisoned for misappropriating millions from a former 1MBD unit.
However, they were stopped from doing so by a security detail.
Right behind those three leaders were Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the Malay-nationalist party’s secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
Two party leaders from Anwar’s Pakatan harapan (PH) coalition — Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke — also made their maiden appearance at an Umno AGM.
Anwar was then seated on the main stage where he watched Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki’s welcoming remarks with a hearty poem, which was followed by the party’s annual report.
“As fast as a team steps, ready to fight all the way, put all our differences aside, strengthen unity and close ranks,” he said to applause from the delegates.
As the event kicked off, Anwar was seen singing to the Umno’s anthem as he waved the party’s flag alongside the top leadership.
Leaving the ceremony, Anwar told reporters that his presence at the Umno AGM was to strengthen the camaraderie within the unity government.
The prime minister’s presence at the Umno headquarters as the guest of honour was highly anticipated due to his history with the party that previously ostracised him but went on to support his formation of the federal government last year despite the enmity.
