BAGAN DATUK: Applications to join Rumah Bangsa have received a very encouraging response, says Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
However, Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said applications to join the committee chaired by Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin must be made formally to avoid problems in the future.
"Very encouraging, very good especially in conjunction with the month of Ramadan. I believe Umno will flourish as new brothers have emerged among those who wish to rejoin (Umno)," he said.
He was responding to media queries on the response to applications to join Rumah Bangsa when met after attending the Ihya Ramadan Al-Mubarak 1447H 2026M Programme for the Bagan Datuk parliamentary constituency here Saturday (March 7).
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid was reported to have said that Umno is opening its doors to any former members who had been expelled or suspended to return to the party under the "Rumah Bangsa" initiative, which is also open to any individual who wishes to join Umno's struggle.
When asked about the intention of former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin to rejoin Umno, Ahmad Zahid said the former health minister had met him several times to express his wish, and Umno has no problem accepting anyone who wants to return without any conditions.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Mohd Razlan Muhammad Rafii said Umno has the potential to shine again in the country's political landscape if the major Malay parties can be united ahead of the 16th General Election (GE16), in line with Ahmad Zahid's call on Friday (March 6).
"When the Umno president opened the door to all members who had left the party and invited all Malays to return to shelter under this Rumah Bangsa without conditions, to me this is something that the Malay community in this country has long been waiting for," he said at a press conference during the Sinar Ramadan 2026 Programme at Masjid Ma'muniah, Simpang Lima, in Sungai Besar, Selangor, Saturday.
Mohd Razlan said the Malay community should take lessons from the experience of several other countries where the political power of the indigenous community has gradually eroded due to divisions, whether in the short or long term.
Earlier, Mohd Razlan, accompanied by Women Vision Entrepreneurs Association of Malaysia (Wawasanita) president Dr Norli @ Norlaili Alias and Sungai Panjang state constituency coordinator Datuk Mohd Imran Tamrin, handed over 500 new copies of the Quran to 40 mosques and surau throughout Sabak Bernam. - Bernama
