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Saturday 23 November 2013

Hamas Senior Leader Among Eminent Figures Attending Umno International Forum 2013


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 (Bernama) -- The presence of a Hamas senior leader at the Umno International Forum 2013 on Dec 2 and 3 in conjunction with the party's General Assembly is seen as a signficant recognition for Malaysia, Umno and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Umno executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusoh said Hamas political bureau chief, Khalid Meshaal would be among four eminent political figures sharing their views at the two-day forum.

"We see the Hamas leader's willingness to attend the forum as a recognition for the Malaysian prime minister's leadership and appreciation for the latter's visit to Palestine (Gaza in January, this year)," he said, here, Friday at a news conference on the upcoming Umno General Assembly.

Among the figures who have confirmed their attendance at the forum are former Kenya vice-president Stephen Kalanzo Musyoko, who is also Kenya Wipper Party leader, and Indonesia's presidential candidate from the Golkar party, Aburizal Bakri.

Rauf said for the first time, Singapore would be sending a representative from the PAP with the status of minister to the forum, which also for the first time would be attended by a US ambassador to Malaysia, in this case by the new ambassador, Joseph Y. Yun.

Ab Rauf said the eminent figures attending the forum themed, "The Politics of Moderation Accommodates and Balances Competing Principles That Leads to Peace and Stability", were also invited as foreign observers to the Umno General Assembly.

He said the foreign observers were invited through the political parties with established relations with Umno, giving them the opportunity to discuss and exchange views with their counterparts.

After the international forum, there will be the Umno president's briefing on Dec 3 and at night, Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin will open the delegates conference of the party's three wings.

The Wanita, Youth and Puteri delegates conference will be held the next day and the General Assembly from Dec 5 to 7.

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