I’ll only rejoin Umno if it cuts DAP links, says Noh Omar

 Former Selangor Umno chief says he disagreed with political cooperation between Umno and DAP over several issues, including education and Malay rights.

Noh Omar was sacked from Umno following a violation of party discipline during the 15th general election.

PETALING JAYA:

 Former Selangor Umno chairman Noh Omar has expressed his willingness to return to the party under the proposed “Rumah Bangsa” initiative, provided that the party ends its cooperation with DAP.

Noh said his stance was grounded in the party’s core principles, particularly those concerning the interests of Islam and the rights of the Malays, which form the foundation of Umno’s struggle.

He said he disagreed with political cooperation between Umno and DAP over several issues, including education and Malay rights.

“My soul is with Umno. I can return to Umno on condition that the party does not cooperate with DAP. That is my principle,” he was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia.

He also said he had expressed his views on ties with DAP, raising the matter with Umno’s Supreme Council when the question of cooperation with Pakatan Harapan arose following the 15th general election.

“In terms of struggle and principles, Umno and DAP are fundamentally different,” he added.

Noh was sacked from Umno following a violation of party discipline during the 15th general election. In July 2024, he confirmed that he had joined Bersatu.

He was appointed to the Bersatu Supreme Council in early 2025 but resigned from the post last month following the sacking of 17 party leaders, including Hamzah Zainudin.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said on Friday that the party’s doors were “unconditionally” open to former members, and that “all past mistakes and differences” would be forgiven in the spirit of Ramadan.

Several former Umno leaders ruled out returning to the party, including Mukhriz Mahathir who is now Pejuang president, PAS leader Annuar Musa and ex-Supreme Council member Isham Jalil. However, former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin expressed interest in returning to the party.

Noh also said Umno should revive the Muafakat Nasional cooperation with PAS to strengthen Malay and Islamic support.

He said this approach was more in line with the party’s fundamental principles and could restore the confidence of its supporters. - FMT