A former Amanah division chief in Perlis has joined Umno after being expelled from the party last year, marking the latest shift in the state’s political landscape.
Mohamad Yahaya, the brother of PAS ulama council chief Ahmad Yahaya, said his decision was driven by his view that Umno is more responsive to the people’s needs.
In contrast, the former Padang Besar Amanah division chief argued that PKR appeared overly reliant on its president, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, to manage key issues.
“Umno appears more mature in handling issues and has fewer internal party problems.
“Cabinet ministers from (Pakatan) Harapan, meanwhile, still seem amateurish despite having held their positions for more than three years,” he told Malaysiakini.
Mohamad (above), who contested the Padang Besar parliamentary seat under the Harapan banner in the last general election, was expelled from Amanah after failing to respond to a show-cause letter issued by the party.
The move is understood to be linked to his criticism of the PKR party election at the time, as well as openly taking aim at Amanah’s leadership.
He said his application to join Umno has since been accepted and confirmed by the party’s Padang Besar division chief.
Separately, former Kangar Umno division deputy chief Azhar Ahmad has also rejoined the party, in another sign of consolidation within its ranks.
Kangar Umno division chief Fathul Bari Mat Jahaya confirmed this development in a Facebook post.
Azhar previously left Umno to contest the Kuala Perlis state seat as an independent candidate in the last general election.
Political maturity
Fathul described Azhar’s return as a mark of political maturity, where differences are set aside in favour of unity and reconciliation.
Echoing Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s call, he said the Kangar division remains open to those who still believe in the party’s struggle.
“Whether they once distanced themselves, left the party, were suspended, expelled, or went their own way - if their hearts are still with Umno, let us return together under one roof, one line, and one ‘Rumah Bangsa’,” Fathul said.
Recently, the Umno supreme council agreed to readmit more than 6,000 members and former leaders, including Hishammuddin Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin, and Syed Hamid Albar.
Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the council fully backs the “Rumah Bangsa” concept introduced by Zahid - an open-door approach to welcome back members who were suspended, expelled, or had left the party. - Mkini
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