KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories National Security Council (MKN) has given the approval for the 2020 UMNO General Assembly to be held on March 27 and 28 through a letter dated March 19, said UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

He said the assembly would be held in full compliance with the standard operating procedures stipulated by MKN including physical distancing, wearing face masks, taking body temperature, scanning the MySejahtera application and using hand sanitisers.

"Besides that, UMNO will increase the number of security personnel such as the Rela and Sabil Squad members," he said in a statement here, today.

On the general assembly, he said it would be held in a hybrid manner that combines physical attendance at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur and virtual attendance in 190 divisions.

The assembly will begin with simultaneous opening of the Women, Youth and Puteri wings by deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on Saturday, followed by the flag-hoisting ceremony and policy speech by UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Sunday.

Ahmad said the policy speeches by the president, deputy president and wings chiefs would be streamed live via the UMNO Online Facebook page.

"The debate will be on the policy speeches which will touch on the politics, economic, social, religion and international issues as well as current issues such as COVID-19 and vaccine," he said.

The Pontian Member of Parliament added that no public observers were invited to this year's assembly and no stalls and food trucks were allowed to operate during the assembly.

He said the party also received applications from 42 print and electronic media agencies to do coverage on the assembly.

-- BERNAMA