CELEBRATING 70 years of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) — and as many years of modern Malay history beginning with the independence struggle, the very catalyst for the party’s inception on May 11, 1946 — is the newly launched regeneration of the KL Putra World Trade Centre (KL-PWTC) project, which seeks in its design and function to integrate the past and the future. The regenerated building will, in its facade, incorporate the enduring symbols of Malay culture, namely the keris and sampin, both functional works of art. The keris, habitually held in the sampin’s waistband, while intended to be a lethal weapon, is not without aesthetic value. Crafted with grace and beauty in mind, it is easy to handle and in the hands of the master it is a boon in any hand-to-hand combat, and is especially effective in the Malay martial art of pencak silat.
The PWTC is, of course, Umno’s headquarters. Built in 1985, it took over the mantle of a significantly strengthened Malay party from the old building in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, which by then was already 30 years old. Now, another 30 years on, PWTC’s regeneration will again display the growth of the party, but one that is inclusive, standing as a symbol of a multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation; Umno as leading the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition that has brought the country to where it is today, a model of socio-economic development to be emulated by other developing countries. Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is clear in his vision of the re-energised PWTC, as “reflecting the welcoming spirit of Umno towards everyone, regardless of faith, ethnicity and social background, and also the importance of the party in the development of Malaysia, together with other parties of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition”.
It will necessarily be a part of Najib’s legacy to Umno and the country; one of many. Under his stewardship, the country has been suitably transformed into one ready to take its place in the ranks of fully developed nations. As part of his government’s transformation programme, laws were liberalised, an indisputable sign of a mature democracy. With the same objective in mind, the economy evolved from an industrial platform for growth to one that is post-industrial and modern. The latest move is the introduction of the digital economy and suitably advised by a giant in the field. Also transformed is the government machinery itself, bureaucratic efficiency being the watchword. His desire to transform the politics of the country by curbing money politics, however, is not well received by the opposition for some strange reason.
Umno’s 70 years, therefore, is more than merely a 70-storey tower of the reinvigorated KL-PWTC. As the leading party of firstly, the Alliance government and then the BN government, the country has prospered, irrespective of the intentions of its enemies, domestic detractors and the global economic environment. As is true of past Umno leaders, the incumbent’s acumen is in no doubt: democracy has been consolidated; the infrastructure modernised; and, the economy open yet proven resilient.