Early elections in these two states would allow Barisan Nasional to drum up momentum and signal that the pact has regained strength ahead of the next general election, observers say. JOHOR BAHRU: The United Malays National Organisation’s (UMNO) 80th anniversary celebration at Johor’s Istana Besar on Monday (May 11) was as much a show of political strength as it was a commemoration of history, reinforcing the southern state’s status as the party’s symbolic heartland. Held at the palace where the