KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 11): Confusion reigned at the Umno general assembly today as the party once again suspended broadcast of live proceedings from the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC).

Umno members, who are not official delegates, rely on the screens around PWTC to observe the debates but today, only Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin’s policy speech from Wednesday appeared on a loop.

At first, members sitting cross-legged on the floor appeared not to realise that the broadcast was not live with Khairy’s cries that price hikes should end prompting applause from the women.

But it soon dawned on them that the speech was not new and they began chatting among themselves, reading the free Utusan Malaysia newspapers being distributed around, and taking selfies.

Siti Minah Ismail, 54, of Langkawi Wanita Umno branch told The Malaysian Insider she was disappointed that there was no live telecast of today’s debate.

“This is my eighth Umno general assembly. I used to jot down all the important points during the debate but now I cannot.

“But what to do, since I can’t be in the hall,” she said.

Another member Anita Hamzah from Bera, Pahang, said she was unhappy but resigned to the new rules.

“We forwarded the complaints to our Wanita head yesterday but we were told that there will be no telecast.

“I’ve accepted that.”

When approached, Rela officers stationed around the lobby also expressed confusion at the turn of events.

One told The Malaysian Insider that they were delaying the live broadcast until more members turned up.

Another was not even aware that debates have started.

“Really? It’s already started? But what about all these makcik?” the officer said, gesturing towards the elderly women sitting before the huge screen.

“They probably don’t even know that the speech playing now is a repeat of Wednesday’s. Pity them. They came from so far away.”

One of the coordinators approached by The Malaysian Insider said he was unaware of what was happening and was trying to find out.

Yesterday, both Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s policy speech and debates were telecast live, allowing ordinary Umno members and media personnel denied access tags to monitor the proceedings.

However, there was no live telecast during the wings’ assemblies on Wednesday, only Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil’s policy speech was broadcast followed by a recording of Najib’s speeches from previous years.