140,000 Umno members expected at party’s 71st anniversary celebrations
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno’s 71st anniversary celebrations on May 11 will be the largest held in the history of the party, with the expected participation of more than 140,000 members nationwide.
Bernama reported the party’s executive secretary Datuk Ab Rauf Yusof as saying that the celebration aimed to promote Umno and Barisan Nasional as choice parties, with the general mood for the 14th General Election growing palpable.
The grand event is scheduled to take place at Bukit Jalil Stadium.
“We expect each Umno division to send 1,000 participants. Through their presence, we want to imbue the spirit of unity for the next general election.
“The essence of the celebration is to show the people that Umno and BN are the best choice at the next general election,” Ab Rauf said after chairing a technical meeting of the anniversary celebrations at Putra World Trade Centre here yesterday. He said in the run-up to the celebration, sports events and programmes would fill next month’s calendar at the divisional and state levels.
“We will organise a flag run starting on May 1, which will begin in Perlis and, subsequently, Kelantan, Johor and Sabah. The run will end at Bukit Jalil Stadium on May 11.”
Ab Rauf said colourful carnivals would be held at the stadium on May 10 and 11, and they were expected to attract up to 200,000 visitors.
He said several organisations had confirmed their participation, including Malaysia’s leading fully-integrated media group Media Prima Bhd, which would organise its WOW Carnival, while Umno Youth would organise a career fair.
He said the most interesting programme would be a lucky draw that offered prizes that included six cars and 10 motorcycles to be won by members who registered as voters.