'Falling and rising': Ahead of anniversary, Zahid highlights Umno's resilience

With Umno set to celebrate its 80th anniversary next month, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi paid tribute to the party, highlighting its resilience despite a marked decline in its political fortunes over the past two decades.

To the Umno president’s credit, under his leadership, the party had only remained outside of the corridors of power for 22 months after its defeat in the 2018 general election.

In 2020, Umno returned to government after joining forces with PAS and Bersatu to topple the Pakatan Harapan administration. Following the most recent general election, Umno entered an alliance with Harapan to return to Putrajaya, with Zahid serving as deputy prime minister.

Zahid said that Umno, founded in 1946, was born out of a spirit of unity and courage in opposing the Malayan Union, before evolving into a movement that played an important role in shaping the nation’s journey.

“Beginning in 1946 as a movement opposing the Malayan Union and defending the sovereignty of the homeland, Umno was born from the spirit of unity and courage of the people,” he said.

Zahid said that from that first step, Umno embarked on a long journey marked by sacrifice, challenges and achievements over the past 80 years.

“From that first step, a long journey was built that shaped the nation’s path from independence to development through sacrifice, leadership, and continuous effort,” he added.

Umno legacy

Zahid, who is also BN chairperson, said the eight decades are not merely a number, but a reflection of history and experience that formed the identity of the party’s struggle.

“Eighty years is not just a number, but a collection of history, achievements, and challenges that shape the identity of a struggle.

“This is a story of resilience, of falling and rising again, and of a legacy that continues to live on in the nation’s future journey,” he added in a Facebook post.

Last month, Malaysiakini reported that Umno and BN are considering contesting at least 115 parliamentary seats in the next general election, in a bid to position the coalition to return to federal power.

In the 2022 general election, Umno won only 27 parliamentary seats, marking its worst-ever electoral performance. At present, BN - once regarded as an impregnable political fortress - holds just 30 seats in Parliament.

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