UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described the party as an enduring platform of political struggle ahead of its 80th anniversary on 11 May.

The Deputy Prime Minister said UMNO’s journey since its founding has played a central role in shaping Malaysia’s national direction, from the struggle for independence to the country’s subsequent development, built on sacrifice, leadership and continuous effort.

“The 80-year period is not merely a number but a collection of history, achievements and challenges that have shaped the identity of a struggle,” he said in a Facebook post today.

Zahid said UMNO, founded in 1946 as a movement opposing the Malayan Union to defend the sovereignty of the nation, was born out of a spirit of unity and collective determination.

“This is a story of resilience, of falling and rising again, and of a legacy that continues to live on in the nation’s future journey,” he said.