SEREMBAN: Former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad's application to rejoin Umno has been approved by the party's supreme council, says Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.
The Umno secretary-general said the decision was reached during a meeting chaired by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi on Friday (May 26).
"I can confirm that the supreme council has agreed (to accept Mohd Isa's application).
"The meeting ended around midnight and I have yet to send out the letter," he said when met at Wisma Umno here.
Mohd Isa, a former party vice-president, had resigned from the party in September 2018 as Umno had decided against contesting in the Port Dickson by-election.
He contested as an independent in the seven-cornered contest which was eventually won by PKR's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
After having served as mentri besar from 1982 to 2004, Mohd Isa went on to contest the Jempol parliamentary seat and was made a Federal minister after his win.
He then contested and won the party vice-presidency but was later convicted of money politics.
The party then suspended him for six years but this was reduced to three upon appeal.
He made a comeback in 2009 where he was picked to contest the Bagan Pinang by-election in the state.
Isa won the contest in a straight fight against PAS' Zulkefly Mohamad Omar.
When met at Wisma Umno, Mohd Isa expressed his gratitude to the party.
"Although I left Umno in 2018, I had never opposed the party.
"Even when I was not a member, I attended ceramah and even helped out during the Melaka and Johor state elections," he said, adding that he submitted his application in July last year.
Mohd Isa said he resigned as he did not wish to oppose Umno which had decided to sit out of the Port Dickson by-election.
"How can I oppose a party which has done so much for me?" he asked.
Elaborating, Mohd Isa said he first joined Umno in 1972 and within six years, was given a state seat to contest.
"Then (in 1982), I was made MB and held the post for decades," he said.
Mohd Isa said he had also decided to officially rejoin Umno as many had left the party.
"Those who left would have not been where they are today if not because of Umno.
"They have forgotten what Umno has given them," he said, adding that he never got upset with the party although he was suspended for three years previously.
Mohd Isa said he would work hard to ensure the unity government retains Negri Sembilan in the coming state polls.
"On paper, we should win but we have to work hard to ensure we can retain all (36) seats," he said.
Mohd Isa's wife, Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid, who is also Negri Sembilan Wanita Umno chief, was also elated with the news.
"He is back in Umno from today as the president and supreme council have accepted his application.
"He will be a normal member in the Bagan Pinang branch in the Port Dickson division," she said.
Mohd Isa was appointed chairman of the Federal Land Development Authority in January 2011.
However, on Feb 3, 2021, he was convicted of nine corruption charges involving RM3mil over the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites (MPHS) in Kuching, Sarawak.
He was sentenced to six years imprisonment on each charge, making a total of 54 years, but would only have to serve six years in prison as the jail sentences were ordered to be served concurrently.
He was also fined RM15.45mil, in default 18 years jail.
The High Court allowed a stay of the execution of the sentence pending his appeal which is scheduled to be heard at the Court of Appeal on June 23.
