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UMNO’s preparations for the next general election and state elections are expected to dominate discussions at a party meeting scheduled for tonight, according to party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the meeting, which brings together UMNO and Barisan Nasional leadership, will serve as an initial platform to coordinate election machinery and strengthen the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the polls.
“This is the first branch-level party meeting in this state as preparation for the upcoming elections,” he said while attending the simultaneous opening ceremony of UMNO branch conferences across Melaka at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) today.
The meeting was also attended by UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, and Melaka UMNO liaison chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said UMNO’s 80th anniversary reflected the enduring strength of the party’s struggle, which he described as unbroken over eight decades.
He said UMNO had consistently proven its role as a pillar of political stability and national development, including in Melaka where grassroots support remains strong.
“This year, UMNO turns 80. A long journey that is not merely counted in numbers, but forged through sacrifice, woven with loyalty and strengthened by an undying spirit of struggle,” he said.
“Indeed, this is proof from eye to eye, from heart to heart that the spirit of UMNO’s struggle will continue to burn brightly, continue to rise and continue to shine,” he added.
He said the party’s eight-decade journey had not only been recorded in history but had also formed the foundation of national strength, state stability and public confidence in the future.
Ab Rauf said that for the first time, more than 3,000 delegates from UMNO branches across Melaka were gathered under one roof to strengthen unity and coordinate future political direction.
He noted that UMNO in Melaka currently has 129,260 members across 480 branches, along with 462 Wanita branches, 396 Youth branches and 276 Puteri branches.
“This is not merely to gather, but to strengthen ranks, renew determination and organise our steps so that we remain firm even when facing wave after wave of challenges,” he said.
“This struggle does not end on the political stage alone, but is translated into administration that delivers results for the people,” he added.
He said UMNO’s long-standing agenda of serving the people, developing the state, strengthening the economy and safeguarding welfare continues to be reflected in the Melaka state administration.
Touching on the Rumah Bangsa initiative, Ab Rauf said the approach was an important call to strengthen unity and deepen engagement with the people.
The ‘Rumah Bangsa” (“House of the Nation” or “National Home”) initiative reflects an effort to position UMNO as a unifying political platform that remains close to the people, with a focus on strengthening grassroots engagement, improving community outreach, and enhancing the responsiveness of party and government machinery to public needs.
“Therefore, the responsibility we carry today must be borne well because current challenges require us not only to work, but to work more closely, more quickly and more accurately with the people,” Rau added.
He said Melaka had implemented the concept through initiatives including the establishment of JR Digital to monitor public sentiment more comprehensively.
“Through this platform, public sentiment can be monitored more comprehensively and action can be taken more quickly and accurately to resolve issues,” he said.
“Let us work hard together, united in agreement, hearts aligned and shoulders joined for religion, race and country… for the UMNO we love,” he added.
“As long as we stand together, as long as we work together and as long as we are sincere in our struggle… UMNO will not fall, let alone surrender… UMNO will continue to stand proudly across time,” he said. - April 17, 2026
