KUALA LUMPUR: UMNO’S commitment to party rejuvenation is evident with the launching of its online membership registration drive, said Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday.
The Umno president said people registering at http://keahlian.myumno.org/ would circumvent the normal registration, where the problem of missing application forms had stunted efforts to increase party membership.
In his speech while launching the site, Najib said it would increase the number of members among the Gen Y segment. He said Umno’s transformation was indeed taking place, especially after the general assembly last month.
“This is also for Gen Y. Many have come to meet me to express their interest in joining the party, but most said they cannot do so. Some of the problems cited are missing application forms after submission. A number of them had to fill the forms repeatedly.
“Some also asked how they can join Umno when they do not even know the party division chiefs. So, there are many obstacles in the normal way of registering. We are tired of hearing these issues.
“But with this online registration facility, a student in Minnesota (the US), for example, can even register from there.
“We can have our children registering as members from all over the world. We want the party to be open to the young ones,” said the prime minister.
Present at the launch were party secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor, vice-presidents Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as well as Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, Wanita chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Najib said those who registered online would receive their membership numbers within 24 hours.
He said applicants would have to verify their particulars or have their applications rejected if the details were found to be false.
He said the party headquarters would keep members informed about the registration and enrolment.
“Information on applicants will be relayed to state liaisons, who will contact those in the divisions to register their membership.
“This is to do away with divisional leaders claiming to be unaware of the induction of new members,” said Najib.
Umno has 3.47 million members nationwide.