KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak tonight chaired the party's Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn, Putra World Trade Centre.
The hour plus, closed door session started at about 8pm with all its 57 supreme council members present.
The meeting was held to brief supreme council members about the motions that would be tabled and debated by the Umno delegates.
As per normal, the motions at this year's assembly are divided into matters of economy, religion, education and politics.
Present were party vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is carrying out the duties of the deputy president, vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and the heads of Umno's three wings.
Also present were the 12 Umno state liaison committee chiefs.
Najib was also met with Umno Permanent Chairman Tan Sri Badruddin Amiruldin and Deputy Permanent Chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Aziz, who would be master of ceremonies for the next three days during in the main party's general assembly.
The 71st Umno General Assembly began with the opening of the Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings assemblies on Tuesday, which saw a host of issues voiced by the party grassroots.
Umno information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that the supreme council members had taken note of the motions that were highlighted by the three wings.
"The delegates can give their opinions and what they say is coming from them as individuals.
"The general assembly is about this and we do not interfere in what they plan to say. They are free to speak their minds," said Annuar.