The perception that Umno is no longer relevant is portrayed by desperadoes and those who left the party, said its secretary-general, Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.

"They are not able to get what they desired from Umno so they create a perception that the party is not relevant," he said in an interview with Umno Online in conjunction with the party's 64th anniversary tomorrow.

Despite the negative perception bandied about, he said Umno membership increased over the years, including among the younger generation.

"I believe as long as the Malays live, Umno will continue to be the prime mover in ensuring the rights of our children, nation and Islam are not compromised," he said.

No other Malay party could champion the fate of the Malays, Islam and the country as Umno did, he said, adding that, even PAS was an Umno splinter party.

"If we look back at the history, when Ahmad Fuad lost the contest for Umno presidency against Tunku Abdul Rahman (Putra Al-Haj), he left the party and vowed in Gunung Semanggol that wherever there was Umno, PAS would destroy it.

"That is the reason why PAS was set up," he said.

Similarly, he said Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah set up Semangat 46, another Umno splinter party, when he lost the contest for the presidency against Dr Mahathir Mohamad but fortunately he rejoined the party.

Tengku Adnan said former Umno deputy president Anwar Ibrahim set up Keadilan (now PKR) out of his disappointment.

"The party has no direction, no clear cause in championing the Malay rights, Islam and the nation," he said, adding that there may be more splinter parties set up by disappointed Umno members.

"As they are frustrated, we do not know what are their aspirations and intentions. Sometimes they do things which can destroy the country," he added.

He said Umno was willing to readmit them back although they derided the party before.

"We do not want the Malays to be in disarray. If the Malays are weak, believe me Malaysia will be topsy-turvy," he said when commenting Umno veteran Aziz Tape's remarks that, "without Umno, the Malays will fade away."

"It is true. The Malays is Umno. Umno is the Malays. The problem is most Malays do not know the history. When they wake up, everything is there, schools, roads, infrastructure. They do not study how these things came about," he said.

On the attitude of some members who underestimate the changes and transformation in Umno, he said, "even if you want to renovate a house, someone might oppose it and give differing views.

"I believe what the president (Najib Abdul Razak) does is for the good of the nation. In order to ensure the party's survival, we must do things to suit the time," he said.

He said that Umno leaders and members must realise, appreciate and interpret their conviction in the party's struggle.

"What is important, we joined Umno to ensure that the rights of the Malays will not be trampled. Not for personal or individual gains.

"Anyone who wants to contest any position can offer himself, but I would advise, we must understand the reason why we joined the party. We hold the trust. Not to get something for ourselves.

"If the fundamental goal is wrong, believe me, we will be despondent, regret and eventually disappointed. Just look at our friends who have jumped ship," he said.

As such, he said party members should not be enamoured with leaders as they come and go while the party's struggle to improve the well-being of the people continued.

On the 64th Umno anniversary, he said every division and branch must fly the Umno flag tomorrow.

He said a motorcycle expedition to the Holy Land would be flagged off at the Umno headquarters at the Putra World Trade Centre followed by a Maghrib and tahlil prayers at the Tun Razak 4 Hall from 6.30pm tomorrow.

At the function, the prime minister is scheduled to present awards to eminent Malays.

- Bernama