UMNO Open to Accepting Bersatu Leaders, Says Anti-Hopping Law Must First Be Addressed

PUTATAN: The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) is open to accepting members and leaders from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) who have faced disciplinary action within their party, provided there are no legal obstacles under Malaysia’s Anti-Party Hopping Law.

UMNO Supreme Council member Ahmad Maslan said the party welcomed such individuals through its “Rumah Bangsa” initiative but stressed that elected representatives must first resolve any restrictions imposed by the Anti-Hopping Act.

“If there are no obstacles under the Anti-Party Hopping Act to join UMNO, then they are welcome. But if there are legal restrictions, they must first overcome those issues,” he told reporters at Wisma Pan Borneo in Putatan on Wednesday.

Ahmad explained that the barriers were not imposed by UMNO itself but rather by existing legislation affecting members of Parliament or elected representatives who are still holding office.

“If the law prevents them from joining another party, then perhaps the law should be amended to make it easier for any party member who has been expelled to choose whichever party they wish to join,” he added.

The UMNO leader reiterated that the party remains open to receiving former members and leaders without any conditions, in line with the position previously stated by the party president.

“We accept everyone without conditions, as stated by the president,” he said.

Ahmad, who also serves on the Rumah Bangsa Unity Committee, said Sabah has taken a more proactive approach in strengthening the initiative by establishing a special state-level committee to review applications from former members and leaders seeking to return to UMNO.

According to him, the committee is tasked with submitting recommendations and views to the party’s central leadership, particularly involving Sabah-based leaders who had previously left the party or were subjected to disciplinary action.

“We already have a Rumah Bangsa Committee in Sabah, and they held a meeting yesterday. We are now awaiting their recommendations regarding leaders in Sabah who left UMNO or faced disciplinary action and now wish to return,” he said.

He noted that other states do not currently have similar subcommittees but said Sabah’s leadership had moved more aggressively on the matter.

“Any member can directly apply to the central leadership simply by submitting a letter expressing their intention to rejoin, and generally we will accept them. This includes expelled leaders, state assemblymen, and Members of Parliament — all are welcome,” he added.