KUALA LUMPUR: The Sang Saka Bangsa flag was raised at Plaza Merdeka this morning, in a symbolic start to the 66th Umno General Assembly.
Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, together with his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) at 8.58am to the sound of the kompang.
The Prime Minister then inspected a 150-strong guard of honour comprising 50 members each of the Wanita, Umno Youth and Puteri wings.
Najib proceeded to raise the flag, accompanied by party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, and party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
A choir comprising 30 Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students belted out "Bersatu, Bersedia, Berkhidmat", as the Umno flag was raised.
Zahid had earlier witnessed the raising of the party flags by Umno wings' chiefs, namely Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Today marks the start of the Umno General Assembly proper, with the Wanita, Puteri and Umno Youth wings' assemblies having concluded yesterday.