UMNO AGM | As the curtains fell on the 71st Umno general assembly, party president Najib Abdul Razak boldly proclaimed that momentum was on the party's side, with the wind behind its back.

The party and its leadership exuded confidence, posturing itself to win over Malay voters key to Umno and BN's survival.

But with Malay votes expected to be split three ways in the 14th general election (GE14), Najib is not taking any chances with either Umno or himself.

If the winds turn against him, the prime minister who has, until now, survived one of the world's largest financial scandals is determined not to suffer the fate of his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

In 2016, the Umno general assembly centred on consolidating power following a schism that led to the birth of its rival, Bersatu.

But this year, it is the opposition that is in disarray, with Bersatu facing deregistration due to its failure to hold an AGM, and Pakatan Harapan yet to secure a unified logo to contest under in the next polls.

"If they fail to even manage a meeting, how are they going to manage the country?" Najib had remarked in his policy speech on Thursday.

Without having to worry about beating back its enemies, Umno was able to focus this year on projecting itself as the only choice for Malays.

The message was simple: If Umno is ousted, then Malay privileges and institutions will be ground into dust, as both Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan are controlled by the purportedly anti-Malay DAP.

"If the opposition wins...the special rights of Malays, as the original forebearers of this land, from a noble and free race, will have their pride stepped on and their (position) in the centre sold.

"Worse yet, they will be vagabonds, cursed and despised, until they 'terbangsat' (become bastards) in their own homeland," the prime minister had said.

Meanwhile, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is currently Bersatu and Harapan chairperson, was demonised as a race traitor for working with the DAP...