JOHOR BAHRU, May 11 — Umno managed to record 16,867 new members through its online registration platform within 20 days of its implementation, said the party’s secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

He said Umno took note and recognised the effectiveness of the party’s online registration platform for new members.

“The total figure also consisted of 71 per cent of youth who registered,” he told reporters at a press conference after the Umno Supreme Council meeting held at the party’s Johor headquarters in Jalan Yahya Awal here today. 

The meeting was chaired by Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also the deputy prime minister.

Zahid was accompanied by Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and the party’s top leadership.

On Umno’s 80th anniversary celebrations held in Johor Bahru, Asyraf said that the spirit of the party’s struggle must continue to be maintained to ensure that religion, race and country remain preserved.a

He said the anniversary celebration brought significant meaning to all party members as Johor is the historic location and birthplace of Umno, which was then a pillar of the country’s independence.

“From there on, Umno was a platform for the struggle which later became the mainstay of independence and the formation of a sovereign nation.

“This celebration isn’t just nostalgia, but a reminder that the strength of the nation depends on the unity of the people and the stability of the country under the auspices of the Malay Rulers,” he said.

Earlier, Umno leaders, led by Zahid, held a prayer session in conjunction with the party’s anniversary celebrations.

Those who attended also recreated the historic 1946 group photo at the palace’s grand staircase at the Istana Besar in Johor Bahru.

Umno’s foundation took place during a gathering of Malay leaders at the palace’s grand staircase on May 11, 1946. The historic moment in the Istana Besar in Johor Bahru has often been referred to as the “birthplace” of the party.