SEREMBAN: Former Umno members who wish to rejoin must apply formally by writing to the party secretary-general, says deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
He said all applications will be handled carefully by first referring it to the respective divisions and states.
“If there are no objections from the division and state levels, the application will be discussed at the management committee level before being brought to the supreme council which has the authority to readmit members,” he told reporters after presenting Ramadan aid in Mambau here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Mohamad said the Rumah Bangsa initiative by Umno was for former members who wished to rejoin the party willingly.
He said Umno’s strength was in its grassroots operating collectively rather than as individuals.
Mohamad explained that although Umno and its component partners in Barisan Nasional were cooperating with Pakatan Harapan, this was solely to manage the country and did not involve the parties’ political agenda.
“Our coalition remains with MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
“If anyone wants to take up the Rumah Bangsa offer, it must be willingly, continuing the struggle on Umno’s platform,” he added.
Mohamad was commenting on claims by some former Umno members who rejected the initiative and described Rumah Bangsa as still being within the framework of the Madani Government.
On Friday, Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party had opened its doors widely to former members who were expelled or suspended to return unconditionally.
He recalled events in 1996 when Parti Melayu Semangat 46 was dissolved with all members accepted back into Umno without condition.
