The United Malays National Organisation (Umno)
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Overview
The United Malays National Organisation, (Umno) is Malaysia's largest political part and a founding member of the National Front coalition, which has played a dominant role in Malaysian politics since independence.
Umno emphasizes as its foundation the struggle to uphold the aspirations of Malay nationalism and the dignity of race, religion and country. The party also aspires to protect the Malay culture as the national culture and to uphold, defend and expand Islam.
The party was founded in 1946 by Onn bin Jaafar who had then left the party in 1951.
Currently the president of the party is Malaysian prime minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
There are three wings under Umno, youth wing or Pergerakan Pemuda Umno, women's wing, Pergerakan Wanita Umno and girl's wing known as Pergerakan Puteri Umno.
UMNO sees itself as Malay nationalist, moderate Islamist and conservative representing the Malays of Malaysia, although any Bumiputra (indigenous Malaysian, a category which includes people such as the non-Malay and usually non-Muslim Kadazan, Iban, Dayak, etc. of East Malaysia) may join the party. UMNO is generally regarded as the "protector and champion of ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy)


