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14 May 2012| last updated at 08:33AM

Big boost to Umno morale

By M. HAMZAH JAMALUDIN | hamzah@nst.com.my

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KEEPING MOMENTUM: Members fired up to help party and BN win the next polls

KUANTAN: THOUSANDS of Umno members who returned home after attending its mammoth gathering of 100,000 people in Bukit Jalil on Friday are still in high spirits.

At coffeeshops, they proudly talked about the massive gathering at the National Stadium and how they were inspired by fiery speeches of party president Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

"We have re-emerged strong and no one can belittle us," was what 48-year-old Rosiati Abdul Khalid kept telling the people in her hometown in Felda Bukit Mendi, Bera, about the party's 66th anniversary celebration.

Like other Umno members who thronged the stadium, Rosiati took the trouble to join the country's biggest political gathering, although she could have just watched it on television. Such spirit is not alien to Umno grassroots members.

True to its name -- the United Malays National Organisation -- the country's largest political party had always been the main force to unite Malays and cement bonds between Barisan Nasional parties.

Najib and other Umno leaders had "re-ignited" the party's fighting spirit at its assembly last year, urging members to fight and help the party and BN win big in the next general election.

With nearly 3.5 million members, Umno is still a dominant political force that can help BN win a two-third majority and take back the states ruled by the opposition.

Taman Triang Umno branch member Razali Ishak, 36, said the history and experience of Umno should not be forgotten as it has shown that the party would always rise again after facing turbulence.

"In these 66 years, Umno has faced many bitter challenges but it has succeeded in overcoming them. In the process, this has made party members more mature."

A street soccer demonstration was held as part of the 66th Umno anniversary celebration at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

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