KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) has called on delegates to the Umno general assembly that kicks off on Wednesday (March 15) until Saturday (March 19) to use the annual conference to deliver the voice of the grassroots, whom he described as the backbone of the party.

       In a Facebook post, Ismail Sabri, who is also Umno vice-president, also wished all delegates a "fruitful conference".

       "May Allah SWT bless every moment of Umno’s struggles and elevate the dignity of the race and nation. Umno, championing religion, race and the country,” said Ismail Sabri, who is also Bera Umno division chief.

       Some 5,571 delegates from 191 divisions nationwide are expected to attend the assembly, to be held face-to-face.

       In December last year, the party decided to postpone the assembly, originally scheduled to be held from Jan 13-15, following massive floods in many parts of the country - Bernama