The latest news and top stories on Umno. A prominent Kuala Lumpur based political party, Umno (United Malays National Organisation) is Malaysia’s oldest national political party, founded in 1946. Its primary mission is to uphold Malay nationalism, the dignity of the Malay race, the religion of Islam and protect Malay culture. Historically a dominant force in Malaysian politics, Umno was the leading party of the Barisan Nasional coalition, governing Malaysia from independence in 1957 until 2018. The party played a fundamental role in the nation’s independence movement.