United Malays National Organisation

The United Malays National Organisation ( UMNO, Malaysian Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu ) is a national conservative political party in Malaysia.

It is the largest political party in Malaysia and a founder member of the Barisan Nasional since the country's independence continuously in government.

Membership in the party was, and members of the Malay ethnicity reserved. The UMNO occurs for Malay nationalism (the controversial Bumiputra policy was initiated by UMNO ), in favor of the preservation of Islamic values ​​and for economic liberalism within the Malaysian New Economic Policy.

Foundation

After the British returned to the colony of Malaya after the Second World War, the independence movement began against the creation of a Malayan Union. At a congress on May 11, 1946, the UMNO was founded in Johor Bahru. Onn Jaafar was the first head of the party.

Onn Jaafar wanted to make the party in 1951 for all ethnic groups to access and rename it to United Malaya National Organization, but failed in its intention and resigned in protest. His position was taken by Tunku Abdul Rahman, who led the country to independence in 1957.

Leading politicians

The chairman Najib Razak UMNO is simultaneously acting Prime Minister of Malaysia.

All five Najib's predecessor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Mahathir including bin Mohamad were also UMNO members.

Election results

In the parliamentary elections in 2008, the UMNO reached 29.3 % of the vote 79 of the 222 seats in the Malaysian Parliament. Cited by UMNO Barisan Nasional coalition government got 50.2 % of votes 140 seats.