Red wave at Bukit Jalil National Stadium

KUALA LUMPUR: More than 100,000 Umno members, who were still entering the Bukit Jalil National Stadium until late yesterday evening, togged in red for the giant gathering in conjunction with the 71st Umno anniversary last night, have created a Red Wave environment inside and around the stadium.

They started to enter the stadium area in stages since 2pm although the event would only be starting at 8pm.

A festive environment was also felt at the stadium and its surrounding areas with numerous stalls offering food and Umno souvenirs including T-shirts and mufflers.

The Umno anniversary themed ‘Seven Decades Championing The Race’ became the biggest ever to be held in the history of Umno with the expected turn out of its members to exceed 140,000 from all over the country.

Hundreds of buses ferrying Umno members were also seen entering the stadium area and traffic became congested with the participation of the public who opted to drive their own vehicles.

The early visitors were also entertained to performances by popular artistes such as Misha Omar, Datuk Jamal Abdillah, Wany Hasrita and Usop Mentor Melinia.

Party members and the public from all over the country gathered last night to be together with Prime Minister- cum-Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak to commemorate the formation of Umno, which had defended and developed the race.

The event started at 6.45pm with religious talks followed by Magrib prayers.

Other than the speech of the Umno president, other events scheduled last night were the handing over of prizes for the Umno Sports Carnival and creative essay and short video competitions in conjunction with the 71st Umno anniversary. — Bernama