KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO Youth's stand on not inviting parties from the unity government for its convention at the party's general assembly this week received positive response at the division level.

Kapar Umno chief Affifi Aris said the grassroots had to be briefed on the party's direction and its ties with unity government parties.

He said Umno members upheld Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al- Mustaffa Billah Shah's decree to form a unity government.

"But members must be given a explanation on why we formed a government with Pakatan Harapan and other parties.

"Forming a government together does not mean that members agree with the 'new politics' to the extent of working together in elections.

"So this new narrative on the unity government, especially in facing the state elections, must be explained."

Afifi was commenting on a statement by Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who said the wing would not invite parties from the unity government for its convention at the Umno General Assembly next week.

Akmal, in an interview with Harian Metro, had said the wing wanted to "fix its own house first" before inviting other parties.

Affifi said that when the administration was helmed by Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, both parties chose to move solo, and there was no issue of a merging of parties in the government.

"We seek a consensus in the Youth leadership," he said.

Kulim Bandar Baharu Umno Youth chief Khairul Azam Alias said the wing had to be given room to hold its convention to enable delegates to speak freely.

He said not inviting others did not mean that there was an argument, and that it was only to allow it to discuss "domestic issues".

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/06/916328/thumbs-umno-youth-no-invite-plan