KUALA LUMPUR – Former Umno lawmakers who quit the political outfit to join rival parties following the conclusion of the last general election will have no chance of contesting the next iteration of the polls if they ever decide to return.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said this to the 16 MPs who defected from the party following its defeat in the 2018 national polls.
Utusan Malaysia quoted the Pontian MP as saying that several factors would hinder their renomination in Umno, including the risk of provoking the ire of other loyal party members.
“I’m convinced there are those in Umno who feel aggrieved by the 15 MPs who joined Bersatu and one who joined Warisan, as members from these 16 constituencies had previously carried them as candidates before they fled when times were hard.
“So, if they want to return, I don’t see a way for them to be candidates again. If they want to come back and not be candidates, that’s a different story.
“But if they intend to contest again, there will certainly be many hindrances,” he was reported to have said yesterday.
While none of the 16 lawmakers have publicly expressed interest in rejoining Umno, there have been speculations that a fragmented Bersatu today could see more members quitting for other parties.
Among the MPs who quit Umno immediately after the 2018 election were Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (Jeli), Datuk Noor Azmi Ghazali (Bagan Serai), Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Masjid Tanah), Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee (Beluran), and Yamani Hafez Musa (Sipitang), who all joined Bersatu.
In December the same year, more lawmakers defected, the most prominent being Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin (Larut), who later played a key role in the toppling of the Pakatan Harapan administration in February 2020.
Others who joined him in leaving Umno then were Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu), Datuk Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Mersing), Datuk Shabudin Yahya (Tasik Gelugor), Datuk Mohamad Fasiah Mohd Fakeh (Sabak Bernam), and Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah).
Ahmad, however, reportedly said that none of the 16 former Umno MPs have formally applied to rejoin the party, while no discussions have been held to date over the matter.
“I only met them in the Dewan Rakyat. None of them applied to rejoin Umno. As such, there is no chance they can be Umno candidates.”
On a separate matter, when asked whether rogue MPs who have been going against the party’s top leadership will be picked for the coming polls, Ahmad said they had taken a risk, but added no final decision has been made on the matter.
“Having said that, the president (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) has said previously that he will not hold any ill will when deciding on the candidates as the chairman of Barisan Nasional.
“So, there is some hope for them, but none of this are set in stone,” he said. – The Vibes, June 16, 2022
