PONTIAN: Applications from members of Bersatu who wish to rejoin Umno must be brought to the Supreme Working Council first, says Ahmad Mazlan.
The Umno Supreme Working Council said that decisions on the re-entry of Bersatu members fall within its jurisdiction, as they involve party policy, Sinar Harian reported.
“If there are applications from Bersatu members to rejoin Umno, the final decision must be made by the council,” he said.
“I would like to emphasise that this is a national issue involving party policies and the positions of party members. The council is scheduled to meet next Thursday (February 26), and I will raise this matter there.”
“However, Umno remains committed to strengthening the party’s position based on its own strengths, not on the weaknesses of others,” he added.
The Deputy Works Minister said this after officiating at the handover ceremony for the Rural and Regional Development Ministry’s Prosperous Homes Programme in Kampung Baru Parit Lapis Sayang, Benut, here on Friday (Feb 20).
On Thursday, Johor Umno called on Bersatu members in the state to return to the original platform of the Malay struggle, following an internal crisis in Bersatu that led to 11 divisions announcing their dissolution on Wednesday.
Johor Bahru Umno Division chief Datuk Yahya Jaafar said the call was in line with the Rumah Bangsa initiative introduced by Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, which aims to regroup Malay strength under stable and trusted leadership.
Commenting further, Ahmad, who is also Johor Umno deputy chairman, said that the position of Leader of the Opposition in the Dewan Rakyat remains uncertain after several leaders were dismissed from their respective parties.
He explained that the decision on who will hold the position is the prerogative of each party, and that the government cannot interfere.
“We have not heard any decision from them. This is their matter, not ours. Whether they remain or are replaced is up to the opposition bloc itself,” he said.
Meanwhile, commenting on the ministry’s Prosperous People’s Housing Project, the Pontian Member of Parliament said that the project continues to benefit low-income groups and single mothers.
He explained that the programme was implemented by GiatMara Pontian to provide comfortable homes for eligible recipients.
