'Some are willing to leave their paddy fields to attend the Umno General Assembly' - Saarani

IPOH - Many delegates attend the Umno General Assembly (PAU) even without an invitation, they attend just purely based on their love for the party, according to Umno Perak chairman Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

"Some are not even delegates and have not been invited, but still attend the assembly because they love the party," he told reporters today.

Saarani admitted that in the past, he had not been listed as a party representative, but out of the love for the party he still attended the assembly.

"In fact, the assembly was attended by thousands of people, most of whom were not delegates, but still attended out of love

"There are old women who would leave their paddy fields and come even if they only got to sit on the floor. They would still come even though they were not invited," he said

Saarani said this when asked to comment on Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's statement which described the invitation by party president Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi to former Umno members to attend PAU as satirical.

Hishammuddin had said that it does not help the party's efforts to restore the party's position in winning the hearts of the grassroots

Saarani who is also Perak Menteri Besar said it was up to each individual's interpretation whether they felt the invitation was an honour or otherwise.

"That depends on the individual's stance and feelings.

"There are people who can't help, but come, not chosen, but come anyway because of love for the party," he said.

Last Saturday, Ahmad Zahid stated that Umno always opened its doors for former members to attend PAU even not as delegates.

The former party members can be observers outside the hall during the assembly, he had said.