UMNO Baru

political party, Malaysia

Also known as: New UMNO

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July 1, 2026

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UMNO Baru, which means "New UMNO," was formed in 1988 by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad after the original UMNO party was declared illegal by the courts. This new party was created to consolidate power and overcome internal party challenges. UMNO has historically been the dominant political force in Malaysia, leading the ruling coalition, the National Front (Barisan Nasional), for decades. The party's platform has focused on Malay interests and economic development, including affirmative action policies for the Malay community. Political affiliations in Malaysia are often based on ethnicity, with UMNO primarily representing Malay interests.12

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Malaysia
Malaysia from independence to c. 2000
…forming a new Malay party, UMNO Baru (New UMNO; Baru was subsequently dropped in 1997 and the original name restored). Mahathir’s opponents countered by forming Semangat ’46 (Spirit of ’46), which claimed to embody the ideals of the original UMNO (established in 1946) and attempted to unite the disparate opposition…
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…forming a new Malay party, UMNO Baru (New UMNO; Baru was subsequently dropped in 1997 and the original name restored). Mahathir’s opponents countered by forming Semangat ’46 (Spirit of ’46), which claimed to embody the ideals of the original UMNO (established in 1946) and attempted to unite the disparate opposition…
Read More