Sacked, suspended Umno members not critical of party should be welcomed back, says analyst

(From left) Khairy Jamaluddin, Shahril Hamdan and Hishammuddin Hussein are likely to rejoin Umno, opine analysts Mazlan Ali and Azmi Hassan.

PETALING JAYA: Umno members who have not been critical of the party despite being sacked or suspended should be welcomed back into its fold, an analyst said.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said the suspended or sacked members were currently divided into two groups – one that kept to themselves, and another that joined Umno’s rivals.

He cited the likes of Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan as an example of those that kept to themselves, even if they appeared to be “proactive” in politics, by jointly hosting a podcast.

In January 2023, Umno sacked Khairy, a former Youth chief, and suspended Shahril, a former information chief, for six years.

“The other group is the one who went against Umno and have joined Perikatan Nasional, especially PAS. They may not want to return to Umno,” Mazlan told FMT.

Among the personalities who were sacked from Umno and have since joined PAS are former Barisan Nasional secretary-general Annuar Musa and former federal territories minister Shahidan Kassim.

Mazlan Ali.

Mazlan said he could see Khairy and Shahril returning to Umno in the future, now that the president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has stabilised the party. He said it was “time for them to go back and strengthen the party”.

“These bunch still love the party and I feel it’s not wrong for Zahid to take them back,” he said, adding that those who have been sacked or suspended must keep an open mind and think of their future in politics.

Last month, Umno Supreme Council member Jalaluddin Alias said the party was prepared to welcome back leaders and members who were expelled after the 15th general election, especially if they were still loyal and aligned with its struggles.

Azmi Hassan.

Meanwhile, Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said sacked or suspended Umno members who still yearn for a career in politics should put their ego aside, and this includes Khairy.

“I reckon Khairy and Shahril will come back as Umno is the best platform for them. Hishammuddin Hussein, who has kept a low profile since his suspension, is also likely to come back,” Azmi said, referring to the former vice-president who was suspended for six years.

However, he does not expect former Supreme Council member Isham Jalil to return as he has “crossed the bridge”.

“Isham has been criticising Umno since he was booted and also started appearing on stage with Umno’s rivals,” he said.

Isham was sacked in December for violating the party’s ethics, including failing to obey its directives. His sacking came in the wake of his criticism of Umno, citing its continued cooperation with DAP.

Last month, Isham said he will not return to the party as it has strayed from its original path.