PETALING JAYA: As anticipation brews ahead of Umno's supreme council meeting on Wednesday (July 7), party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is set to address the media in a virtual press conference after the meet.

       According to Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, the virtual press conference will take place on Facebook after the virtual Umno Supreme Council meeting on Wednesday at 8.30pm.

       "A virtual press conference by the Umno president will be held through the Umno Online Facebook page and the Barisan Nasional Communications Facebook page after the supreme council meeting," Ahmad Maslan tweeted on Wednesday (July 7).

       Observers are closely watching developments in Umno, as its virtual supreme council meeting on Wednesday (July 7) at 8.30pm is expected to decide whether it stays with the Perikatan government.

       Just hours before the scheduled supreme council meeting, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the appointment of Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein as Deputy Prime Minister and Senior Minister (Security), respectively.

       It was previously reported that several Barisan Nasional MPs have told Zahid and former premier Datuk Seri Najib Razak that the option of leaving Perikatan was no longer on the table.

       The two leaders were informed of this view during a meeting on Monday (July 5) night that was attended by more than two-thirds of Barisan MPs.

       Sources also said the meeting, held in the Wisma Perwira building at the Defence Ministry, was held with strict adherence to Covid-19 SOPs.