Ahmad Bashah returns to help rebuild Umno

ALOR SETAR - Former Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah has announced his return to politics, adding to the fanfare in the Umno elections for the 2023-2026 session.

Ahmad Bashah confirmed he had handed his candidacy form to contest for the Alor Setar Umno division chief post in the party elections next month.

He said his wanted to aid the rebuilding of Umno after the major loss in the 15th General Election (GE15).

"I have submitted my candidacy papers to contest for the Alor Setar Umno division chief at the Umno state office at the Tunku Building on Monday.

"I submitted the form as there was a vacancy, not to scramble for positions at this age (73-years old)," he said when contacted on Thursday.

Ahmad Bashah previously held the position before it was taken over by Datuk Mohd Yusof Ismail and he decided to contest for it after Yusof had his membership suspended for six years.

"After discussing with political friends, they suggested I return to being active in politics during Yusof's absence.

"My intention to return is based on wanting to strengthen the Alor Setar Umno Division because I love this party," he said,

He said the main agenda was to return to harmonise Umno primarily the Alor Setar division before it is expanded to the state level,

"I want to rebuild Umno after Kedah lost all its seats in GE15.

"Maybe after Umno regains its footing and Yusof returns I will be prepared to step down from all political roles as I intend to aid my friends and the party," he said,

Ahmad Bashah believes that Umno must be rebuilt and it was not impossible to be done if they received the complete support from the 15 existing divisions.

"Everyone must give their cooperation and continue to support one another for the party to rise up again," he said.

Ahmad Bashah stepped down as the Kedah Umno liaison body chairman and State BN chairman in 2018, after the party suffered a major defeat in GE14.