PPBM secretary-general Marzuki Yahya said it was crucial to explain the current situation faced by the government to the grassroots as well as to leaders.

Marzuki, who is also deputy foreign minister, said at the last general assembly, PPBM was an opposition party, and now, as a ruling party, the platform should be optimised fully.

“The agenda on Malay Bumiputera and Islam will certainly be raised also because they are very close to the party, apart from giving priority to and emphasising social and economic issues, and on education, where the Bumiputera is still lagging behind,” he said.

He said with PPBM as one of the ruling parties, the party leaders should be open-minded and open to criticism.

“Now, we are in the government, do not fear to listen to the voice of the grassroots.”

He advised delegates to control their emotions and not to deviate from their topics.

“It will be a closed debate because of the sensitivities involved,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marzuki said PPBM was now in the process of updating its membership registration, adding that the party now had nearly 200,000 members.

“Prior to GE14, the party was deregistered. So, there are a lot of documents on the members missing, and also why we cannot provide the specific number on the party members.”

About 3,000 delegates from 135 party divisions are expected to attend the general assembly.