Ex-Umno leaders rejoining will be treated as new members, says Ismail Sabri

Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaking to reporters in Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: Former Umno members and leaders who have left the party and now want to come back should not expect to waltz in and get back their old posts, said Umno vice-president Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Speaking to reporters after officiating the Sepanggar Umno delegates’ meeting here today, Ismail said he had personally received several calls from those who have left Umno to join other parties but now said they want to come back.

“In Sabah, one already did (former Papar Umno chief Rahim Ismail). We agreed to accept anybody who wants to return to Umno, but the party has its own rules.

“Those who left and suddenly want to come back have to apply to become Umno members.

“Even if they used to hold high posts at the division or branch levels, they will not be given any special treatment.

“Umno is not a hotel that one can check in and check out any time they want. They have to abide by the party rules.

“I’m not saying we’ll close the door on anyone. Umno is open to all Malays and Bumiputeras. Anybody can come in and join.”

In fact, he revealed that some MPs who left the party are now considering coming back to Umno.

To these leaders, Ismail said the party will always accept them with open arms.

“I can say that they have shown interest in coming back. However, it would be too premature for me to announce who they are. But they are considering it.”

Commenting on Sabah Umno’s future, Ismail said he was happy to note that the party is still going strong despite a huge setback following the mass departures of all but one division leader. In some divisions, even the youth wing and women wing had followed suit.

Even after all this, Ismail said Sabah Umno had successfully held its meetings at the branch levels and delegates had carried on their duties as if nobody had left the party.

“This means the departures of these former leaders did not have such a huge impact on the party and its leadership at the division level.

“Many of those who filled up the vacuum left by these people who jumped used to be leaders themselves at the branch level or were youth chiefs in the past. I can see their spirits are stronger.”

He added that perhaps it was a blessing that the former leaders left since many of them had been holding the division chief posts for far too long.

Meanwhile, Ismail also announced that Sabah Umno will eventually be granted full autonomy on how the party should be run in the state.

He said the national leadership will hold a discussion with Supreme Council members from Sabah to get their feedback since only Sabahan leaders know what the state needs.

“There is a need to amend the party’s constitution to make this happen. We are open to discussions on what needs to be included in the constitutional amendment to give Sabah Umno its autonomy.

“This amendment will be tabled at the Umno annual general meeting in November,” he said. - FMT