May 11 showcase for Umno and Barisan successes

KUALA LUMPUR: The 71st Umno anniversary celebrations next month will be a mammoth event to underscore the successes of the party and Barisan Nasional in shaping the nation.

Umno Youth deputy chief Khairul Azwan Harun said the event at Stadium Bukit Jalil on May 11 could also be regarded as a prelude to the 14th general election.

It is both important and significant because it will demonstrate how Umno’s and Barisan’s 71-year governance has contributed to the country’s development and that of its multi-racial people, he said yesterday.

“We want everyone to understand Umno’s struggle to bring peace and harmony to all races and faiths,” he said at a press conference after chairing an Umno Youth exco meeting.

“We expect about half a million people to congregate at the stadium. A number of programmes and events have been lined up for them.”

Among these are a nationwide sports carnival, a party-flag run that starts on May 1 in multiple states and culminates at the stadium, essaywriting contest and short-video competition.

On another matter, Khairul Azwan said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin did not utter the word “insult” when he spoke about the bumiputra quota system during a talk on the 2050 National Transformation initiative with Indian youths last week.

Khairy had been misinterpreted by some people, he said.

He said Umno Youth always defended the special Malay and bumiputra rights stipulated in the Federal Constitution.

“However, we believe that by 2050 the Malays and bumiputra will be able to be competitive with the other races if the bumiputra quota is no more.

“What Khairy meant was that without the quota, the Malays can aspire to be better,” he said.