SHAH ALAM: The mammoth gathering of Umno members tonight at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium is important for the party to dispel the perception among the naysayers that the party is weak and fractured.
Umno Vice-President Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said party members must send a clear message tonight that it is strong and united and is the only party able to champion the rights of the people and spearhead the growth of the country.
"The congregation tonight is important as no one will uphold the rights of the Malays like Umno and it will also provide the platform for party members to leverage on each other's strength.
"Umno must hold this sort of programmes more often to display its solidarity to the people and with special attention on the younger generation who will colour the party in the future," Hishammuddin told Universiti Teknologi Mara students this morning while closing the Umno sports carnival 2017.
Umno will be holding its mass gathering tonight to celebrate its 71st anniversary which is expected to be attended by 140,000 Umno members with a special keynote address by party president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
"We also want to send a clear message to those who don't support Umno tonight to leave the party as there is no place for non-supporters in the party," said Hishammuddin who is also Defence Minister.
At the carnival, Hishammuddin said that Umno will always support its Youth and Puteri wings as they are the ones who will shape the future of the country.
The party will hold more programmes tailored for youths as there are many young people out there who do not belong to any political parties.
"Our young generation of men and women must go all out to rally up the Umno spirit as we prepare ourselves ahead of the 14th General Election by creating mini waves which will swell into a tsunami," said Hishammuddin.