KUALA LUMPUR: Welcoming former Umno leaders back into the party can create a unified and loud Malay voice that is not filled with political rhetoric, says Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
The Umno supreme council member said the party has the ability to unite Malay parties and leaders, noting how most were born from Umno.
“Many political parties were born from Umno itself, including Semangat 46, Bersatu and even PKR to a certain extent.
“In that sense, Umno is the backbone and when we lost in the previous elections, many decided to leave.
“While we are not in the driving seat today, the president recognises that the party has the ability to unite all,” she told reporters on the sidelines of the Umno annual general assembly here on Friday (Jan 16).
Separately, Azalina said that the party cannot use a “one-size-fits-all” approach when it comes to its communication strategies.
“Perspectives in states like Perlis, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are completely different from Johor or Pahang, for example.
“The party recognises this and will work to improve,” she said.
In his address earlier Friday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamdi said the party will 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 (en bloc).
