Peace offer: Zahid invites ex-party members in Bersatu to rejoin Umno

KUALA LUMPUR – In an effort to effect political stability among fractured Malay parties, Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is extending an olive branch to its former party members who joined its splinter party, Bersatu.

In a Facebook post this evening, Zahid also assured Umno members that it will only take in Bersatu members who are sincere and honest about wanting to return to their former party.

“As usual, every application will be scrutinised beforehand and every angle will be studied, including whether the individual will be a ‘liability or asset’ to Umno,” he said in his post to Umno members.

“The Umno president has not forgotten how some of (members) left the Umno struggle to be with Bersatu.”

Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, also described several Bersatu members as being “too greedy” in wanting to seize power, to the point where they fail to see the difference in what is halal or haram (permissible or forbidden) in their approaches.

“Many think that there are several factors as to why these Bersatu members and leaders left Umno before or after GE14.

“The first is related to naivety after being deceived by Bersatu’s propaganda and accusations against Umno and its leadership.

“The second involves having a weak spirit due to the fear of facing the new government’s cruel attacks after Umno lost in GE14,” he said.

“The third is out of selfishness in wanting to maintain their lives of comfort and pleasure, as we are witnessing at this time.”

Zahid added that is also why Umno’s leadership will remain cautious when surveying any applications from Bersatu members, despite keeping an open mind on the matter.

“God-willing, Umno will be able to tell apart diamonds from glass, which ones are honest or which ones have agendas in wanting to return to the party,” he said.

“Therefore, Bersatu secretary-general (Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin), who seems very unhappy with the development, should not be too worried and anxious.”

He added that the offer is not political propaganda, but an attempt by the party to accept those who are genuinely seeking a return to Umno. – The Vibes, October 6, 2021