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STRENGTH OF UMNO

1. The fact that UNO was a founding party in Malaysia and played a significant part in the nation's
independence campaign is witness to its resilience. The party was founded in 1946 with the
intention of protecting the rights and interests of the Malays, a dedication that was highly
regarded in Malaysian society. Their goal was to guarantee that Malays would have a powerful
say in national affairs. UMNO was founded at a pivotal juncture in Malaysian history with the
goal of empowering and uniting the Malay people while fighting for their welfare and rights.
Addressing socioeconomic inequalities and defending Malay interests during the colonial era
were central to the party's founding principles. Early proponents of independence from British
colonial control, such Tunku Abdul Rahman, were crucial in this effort. For instance, its tactical
cooperation with other groups to establish the Alliance, which subsequently transformed into
the coalition of Barisan Nasional. This coalition demonstrated UMNO's skill at creating alliances
and coalitions to consolidate power and influence, becoming a dominant force in Malaysian
politics. After Malaysia attained independence in 1957, the Alliance and then the Barisan
Nasional coalition, led by UMNO, maintained stability and continuity in governance for several
decades. In order to guarantee the party's continuous influence over the nation's policies and
government, UMNO needed to be able to establish and sustain political coalitions. By working
together, UMNO was able to maintain its standing as a major political architect in Malaysia. The
coalition's long-standing dominance proved UMNO's ability to successfully negotiate in
challenging political environments and forge permanent coalitions that would benefit the
country as a whole.

2. UMNO has a strong organisational structure that enables efficient support mobilisation in local
communities, all the way from the grassroots to the national leadership. The nationwide
network of party branches and divisions guarantees close contacts and grassroots involvement.
UMNO has long been aware of the characteristics and requirements of rural communities. These
regions have distinct interests and concerns, and they frequently make up a sizable amount of
Malaysia's population. The people living in these locations relate to UMNO's focus on tackling
issues like infrastructure, community welfare, and agricultural growth in rural settings. A sizable
section of the population lives in rural areas, where UMNO has historically had success winning
support from them. The party engages in active participation in local communities by
consistently connecting with individuals, gaining insight into their needs, and addressing their
concerns. The people develop a sense of loyalty and belonging to UMNO as a result of this
constant presence, which also fosters rapport and confidence. In rural areas, UMNO has
developed close ties with powerful individuals and local leaders. These local leaders can affect
voter choices and frequently wield influence over community sentiments. Securing support
during elections has largely depended on UMNO's ability to cooperate and unite with these
leaders, who are frequently well-respected and trusted among their communities. UMNO's
electoral triumphs have been largely attributed to its ability to constantly win over rural areas
and local leaders. For instance, UMNO Cameron Highland Division Chief Datuk Seri Wan Rosly
Wan Ismail and UMNO Welfare Bureau Chairman Datuk Seri Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah
presented donations to Azizah Husin, 62, and Kuntum Sahad, 82, who both suffer from chronic
pain, at the UMNO Bantu Rakyat 2.0 programme ceremony in Felda Sungai Koyan 2 in Raub,
Pahang.
3. UMNO has had a significant role in establishing Malaysia's policies, particularly those that are
focused on nation-building and socioeconomic growth. In an effort to alleviate economic
disparities between ethnic groups and combat poverty, the New Economic Policy (NEP) was
implemented in the 1970s. The goals of UMNO's programmes and programmes have been to
promote national cohesion and the Bumiputera community. The NEP focused on a number of
important issues, including wealth redistribution, employment, and education. It aimed to
improve prospects for the Bumiputera population by offering educational programmes and
scholarships, allowing them to pursue higher education and skill development. Through
affirmative action initiatives, the policy also sought to enhance Bumiputera participation in a
variety of economic sectors. Due to the NEP's provision of opportunities, the Malay middle class
was able to flourish. The National Employment Programme (NEP) significantly contributed to the
development of the Malay middle class by offering opportunities for wealth building and
economic engagement. It helped Malays pursue business ventures and entrepreneurship, which
advanced their socioeconomic standing. One of UMNO's main initiatives, the NEP, centred on
income redistribution, employment, and education in order to strengthen the Malay population.
It helped the Malay middle class expand and advanced economically, however there were
disagreements about its efficacy and inclusion. The Bumiputera community's empowerment and
the promotion of economic development have been the subject of several UMNO programmes
and efforts under the New Economic Policy (NEP), with differing degrees of success. One
noteworthy and effective initiative is MARA (Majlis Amanah Rakyat). MARA founded a number of
educational establishments, such as polytechnics, technical and vocational training centres, and
MARA Junior Science Colleges (MRSM). For Bumiputera students, particularly those from rural
areas, these institutions provided high-quality education and training options that allowed them
to pursue further education and acquire technical skills. The notable progress in Bumiputera
educational attainment and the rise of prosperous Bumiputera professionals and businesses in
diverse fields attest to the efficacy of MARA's NEP-based endeavours. MARA's entrepreneurial
support and educational initiatives have benefited numerous well-known Malaysians and
prosperous companies.

4. UMNO has been instrumental in preserving and advancing Malay identity, language, and culture.
The party's core ideology has been the preservation of Malay heritage and customs, which has
added to the rich diversity of Malaysian society. A notable instance of UMNO's endeavours is its
endorsement of programmes designed to strengthen the Malay community's cultural identity.
The Malay community's sense of cultural identity within Malaysia's heterogeneous society has
been strengthened by UMNO's enthusiastic support of cultural events and festivals that
conserve and highlight Malay customs and traditions. The party has offered forums for
celebrating and honouring Malay cultures, rites, and traditions through its sponsorship and
organisation of cultural events including Maulidur Rasul, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, and Aidiladha.
Additionally, UMNO has been a steadfast supporter of Bahasa Melayu as Malaysia's official
language. The party's steadfast endorsement of Bahasa Melayu as the national language and
medium of communication has played a pivotal role in cultivating a feeling of inclusion among
the people of Malaysia. Bahasa Melayu has remained a unifying factor among Malaysians,
bridging ethnic divides and fostering a feeling of shared identity because to UMNO's support for
it as the national language. UMNO has participated in a number of projects and activities that
support Bahasa Melayu's status as Malaysia's official language. A noteworthy initiative that
demonstrates UMNO's backing for Bahasa Melayu is the Language Month (Bulan Bahasa)
project. An annual effort to celebrate and draw attention to the significance of Bahasa Melayu in
Malaysian society, Language Month is supported and promoted by UMNO and other
organisations. Usually taking place in October, this campaign consists of a number of
programmes, events, and activities aimed at encouraging Malaysians to speak Bahasa Melayu.

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