JOHOR BARU: Johor Umno welcomes members who were previously sacked or suspended to return to the party, said Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi.
The Johor Umno chief said the matter was among the topics discussed in a meeting with state Umno leaders on Saturday (March 14).
“We welcome the party president’s (Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) Rumah Bangsa initiative for former members to return to the party.
“To those from Johor who have made statements about rejoining the party, Johor Umno welcomes them in good spirit. The final decision lies with the party supreme council,” he said after chairing the meeting at the Johor Umno liaison office.
He added that the meeting saw a 100% attendance, including Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, who is also Rumah Bangsa chairman, Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman and state Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.
On March 12, Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said he is ready to return and be active in Umno once again if his suspension is lifted.
Hishammuddin, a former Umno vice-president, was given a six-year suspension in January 2023.
Besides Hishammuddin, former Tebrau Umno chief Datuk Maulizan Bujang was also suspended, along with former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former party information chief Shahril Hamdan.
Meanwhile, Onn Hafiz, who is also the Johor Mentri Besar, said the meeting also touched on preparations for the upcoming state election.
“No definitive date for when the (state) election will take place. But we took into account the people’s struggles and the ongoing issues that need to be addressed by the state administration - we will continue focusing on our work on the ground,” he said.
