KUALA LUMPUR — Umno has no issue with welcoming back Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, who was suspended two years ago — but he must first submit an appeal, says Supreme Council member Datuk Mohd Puad Zarkashi.
Puad said the party has a history of reinstating former leaders, citing examples such as Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former Selangor menteri besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib.
“Therefore, Hishammuddin must show his willingness and sincerity by filing an appeal and reapplying for membership, just like others before him,” he told Scoop when contacted.
“It is pointless for the Sembrong division to pass a motion and push for his return if he himself does not file an appeal — unless there are exceptional circumstances.”
Puad, who is also the Rengit assemblyman, noted that if Hishammuddin were allowed to rejoin Umno, he would be subject to the party’s rules and would not receive any special privileges.
He would be assigned a new membership number and barred from contesting in party elections for a set period.
“He may have differing views, but he must remain loyal and adhere to the party’s decisions. It doesn’t matter how prominent someone is — if they don’t follow the party’s consensus, their stature means nothing,” he added.
Puad was responding to the Sembrong Umno division’s recent motion, passed at a meeting officiated by Johor Umno chief Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, calling for Hishammuddin’s suspension to be lifted.
Onn reportedly said the proposal reflected grassroots support for Hishammuddin’s leadership and that he would convey the matter to the party leadership.
Hishammuddin was suspended from Umno in January 2023 for six years — equivalent to two terms on the party’s Supreme Council.
The former defence minister was suspended alongside former information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan, former Jempol MP Datuk Seri Mohd Salim Mohd Sharif, and former Johor executive councillor Datuk Maulizan Bujang.
Former health minister and Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin was sacked outright.
Hishammuddin was previously asked to file an appeal last year, but he questioned the need to do so, claiming he was never told the reason behind his suspension.
‘Reinstating Hishammuddin will strengthen Umno, say leaders’
Other Umno leaders have supported the Sembrong division’s call, believing Hishammuddin’s return would strengthen the Barisan Nasional (BN) lynchpin.
Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh said the party must remain united, stressing that loyalty must be recognised.
“We’ve had individuals who were given the red carpet, appointed senators and made ministers — and yet they left the party,” the Merlimau assemblyman told Scoop.
“But there are also those who were suspended or sacked and yet never joined any other party. So this proposal, I believe, deserves support.”
Akmal said lifting Hishammuddin’s suspension would help heal intra-party divisions, adding that voters do not want to see a fragmented Umno at election time.
Johor Umno Youth chief Noor Azleen Ambros also welcomed the motion, describing it as a sincere and constructive move to strengthen the party at all levels — divisional, state, and national.
“The name Hishammuddin is not only deeply rooted in Sembrong, but also closely tied to Umno’s legacy and its long-standing struggles.
“As the party continues efforts to rebuild its foundations through strong leadership, this proposal — like any others aimed at renewal — warrants serious consideration,” he added.
Akmal, Noor Azleen, and Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom expressed confidence that party president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Supreme Council would weigh the motion carefully in the party’s best interest — describing Zahid as a leader with an open heart.
“As a democratic and mature party, Umno has always given due consideration to appeals and requests from the grassroots,” said Jamil.
‘To former leaders: Come home to Umno’
Akmal also urged other former leaders who were suspended or sacked to set aside personal pride and return to the party if they still cared about its cause.
“This party does not belong to Zahid Hamidi, Mohammad Hassan, or Akmal Saleh. It belongs to all of us.” — June 22, 2025