UMNO was founded on the merger and agreement of various Malay organisations to work together for the Malay survival and interest.
The new spirit of nationalism was needed to safeguard the harmonic living of the indigenous or the original people of the country. Hence, any future planning or direction for the country will have to take into account all aspects of the Malays.
It was not a narrowed down nationalism as it had a far-reaching idealism to include the importance of building a multiracial country with integrated elements of unity and stability. At the infancy of its struggle for Independence, UMNO realised that no force must be imposed on others and their rights to domestic politics will be recognised. Efforts were made to form a multiracial political pact when Perikatan between UMNO-MCA was finally established in 1952 when both parties contested in Kuala Lumpur municipal elections. Their victory paved the way for Independence.
In preparing for the first general election in 1955, UMNO-MCA-MIC pact was inked to symbolise the multiracial cooperation. At the stewardship of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra, Perikatan won with flying colours. This was a clear message to the colonial British that all races in Tanah Melayu came as one and were ready for Independence.
