KUALA LUMPUR: Malay unity is essential to safeguarding the principles of race and religion in the country, says Umno leader and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
He said the proposal by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to welcome former leaders back would bridge any differences and unite Malay politics once again.
"The call for unity will strengthen Umno.
"All quarters must be sincere in fulfilling this agenda for the sake of religion, race and our country," he said in a statement on Friday (Jan 16).
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Ismail Sabri stressed that Umno must also rise and move away from its glory days, and accept that the Malays are no longer with them.
Earlier Friday, Ahmad Zahid said the party would open its doors to former leaders who were "born and raised under its roof”,
Ahmad Zahid said it was from this "house" (the party) that Independence was achieved, the Constitution was crafted, Islam was elevated as a pillar of the nation, and the Malay Rulers were upheld.
He added that a special committee will be established to receive the entry or re-entry of any party, whether individually or collectively.
