Umno's move to accept disciplined members crucial for party unity - Analyst

SHAH ALAM - The recent decision by Umno President Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to accept members who had faced disciplinary action may help in retaining their supporters and prevent further party divisions.

Universiti Sains Malaysia political analyst professor Sivamurugan Pandian said the matter is crucial so it will not interfere with the party's preparation, close ranks, and unity.

"When helping hands have been given (accepting back dismissed or suspended members), then this means that it is a test for the leaders involved whether they would hold the party’s ideology or have decided to move on their own.

“So Ahmad Zahid’s move is considered to be aimed at enabling those who have been suspended and sacked to reconsider their positions and return to Umno,” he said.

Commenting further, Sivamurugan said that Ahmad Zahid’s open decision to accept members that are subjected to disciplinary action was an effort to face the state election (PRN) to ensure there was no protest within the party.

Sivamurugan further mentioned that former Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman is expected to appeal his suspension and continue attending division meetings and the Umno General Assembly (PAU).

“However, former Selangor Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar and former BN secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa may not join Umno as they have already decided to join Perikatan Nasional (PN)," he said.

The attention now shifts to the actions of Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein, Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, and Shahril Sufian Hamdan, as they still command significant support within the party, Sivamurugan concluded.