KUALA LUMPUR — Umno’s general assembly begins today with the party facing a question that has become increasingly difficult to avoid: what does it want to be when the next general election arrives?

The four-day gathering at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur comes after Umno’s electoral gains in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, a push to rebuild its ranks through the Rumah Bangsa initiative and growing questions over whether its partnership with Pakatan Harapan (PH) can hold until the next general election.

It is also the party’s second general assembly this year. The gathering held in January was the postponed 2025 assembly, making this the first regular PAU of 2026.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said delegates would be free to table motions on the party’s political direction and its cooperation with the unity government, putting the grassroots debate among the key things to watch at the four-day assembly.

Asyraf has also described the annual gathering as Umno’s “Hari Raya” — a time for its grassroots to come together.But the assembly comes at a consequential juncture for Umno.

Its recent electoral successes have given the party renewed confidence, while its position in the unity government has become increasingly complicated by competing political interests within the coalition.