Several prominent former Umno leaders seem almost certain not to return to the party, even though the door has been opened wide.
Among these leaders is former Selangor Umno chairperson Noh Omar.
According to sources close to Noh, the former Tanjong Karang MP is still “Umno at heart” (berjiwa Umno), but the cooperation between BN and Pakatan Harapan involving DAP has caused him to put off his desire to return to the party’s fold.
“So far, it is clear he will not rejoin Umno because of his principle of not wanting DAP.
“However, Noh is clear that his heart belongs in Umno, and he still loves the party. I am confident he will return to Umno if the party no longer cooperates with DAP,” the source told Malaysiakini.
Noh was sacked from Umno on Jan 28, 2023, by the party’s supreme council along with former Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin.
Meanwhile, Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein had his membership suspended for six years.
The sackings of Khairy and Noh were made over allegations of sabotaging the party during the 15th general election campaign.
Noh chose to join Bersatu as his new political platform. However, he resigned from the Bersatu supreme council on Feb 14 this year.
Since then, Noh’s tense relationship with the Umno leadership appears to have thawed.
He attended an open house organised by Selangor Umno chairperson Megat Zulkarnain Omardin in Batu Caves recently, which Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi also attended.
Besides Noh, former Umno secretary-general Annuar Musa is also expected not to return to the party, following Zahid’s call during the last Umno general assembly for former members to return to the fold.
Annuar is understood to be staying with PAS, where he sees brighter prospects of being re-elected to Parliament in the next general election.
Furthermore, Annuar has a poor relationship with the Umno president.
Former Umno leader Rais Yatim was also reportedly reluctant to return to Umno.
However, he was seen attending Megat Zulkarnain’s open house, who is also the political secretary to Zahid.
Return of prodigal sons?
Meanwhile, an Umno leader who declined to be named said several bigwigs will rejoin Umno.
However, he said he cannot disclose who the leaders are for now to avoid disrupting the ongoing talks.
“Negotiations are happening. I don’t want to disclose further because we don’t want to disturb the process.
“When the time comes, you will be informed,” he told Malaysiakini.
Thus far, only Khairy and Hishammuddin have applied to return to the party. - Mkini
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