SURGE IN NUMBERS
members) became Umno members was because they wanted the party to speak for them and to voice their concerns.
“They wanted to see Umno continue to fight for them and to lead Barisan Nasional in the next general election,” he told reporters at Menara Dato Onn, Putra World Trade Centre here.
He said the majority of new members came from oppositionled states.
“We see a shift in perspective as people want a party with experience to lead and guide Malaysia.
“A non-discriminatory party and the unity among BN’s component parties have drawn people to us.
“We hope Umno will receive full support from different communities, especially Malays,” he said.
Mohamad Haidir Bohari, 34, said he had helped 50 Kuala Langat residents to register as new members at the Umno headquarters here yesterday.
Haidir, who is the executive secretary of the Kuala Langat Umno Youth division, said he collected the forms from February to the end of last month.
“The new members, aged between 20 and 30, have been registered with Umno Youth,” he said, adding that he waited for two hours to complete the registration as the crowd was large at the registration counter.
He had also helped almost 300 people register as new Umno Youth members this year.
A new member, Saiful Ismail, 36, from Kajang said poorly maintained infrastructure in his area had prompted him to make a change in the next general election.