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UMNO has received a growing number of applications from individuals seeking to return to the party, according to its president, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said the leadership has already begun reviewing the requests through an internal committee.
The Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of Barisan Nasional said the party had taken proactive steps to evaluate applications from former members and others interested in joining UMNO.
"Many have already applied (to become UMNO members) and we have taken proactive action where (UMNO Vice-President) Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin chaired a meeting yesterday and following that meeting I issued a statement earlier this morning.
"We are opening the space as widely as possible for those who were expelled, suspended, who left the struggle or who have not yet had the opportunity to join UMNO to do so.
"So, in conjunction with Ramadan, we are approaching everyone with goodwill and taking proactive steps to strengthen this 'Rumah Bangsa' as a platform for the reunification of the ummah, especially to encourage those who were once UMNO members and those interested in becoming members to do so in the near future," he said.
He was speaking to reporters after a visit to meet staff of the Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) at Menara FELDA in Kuala Lumpur today.
Also present was FELDA chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Zahid said the party would not disclose the identities or number of former leaders and individuals who had already applied to return.
"The list I will not share with the media, that is our right. There is no need for everyone to know (the numbers); when the time comes, we will announce it," he said.
Commenting on a meeting held yesterday involving political parties with Islamic and Malay foundations, Zahid said the discussion centred on national agendas, including efforts undertaken by the government to address issues relating to Islam and the Bumiputera community.
"This needs to be shared with them because we do not want perceptions that Malays are under threat or that Islam is under threat. Such claims require factual explanations.
"The meeting was to inform the leaders of Malay and Islamic parties — there are 12 parties in total — although several parties did not send representatives, perhaps because those parties are bigger than UMNO, which is why they could not attend, I suppose," he said.
He described the meeting as UMNO’s first step in helping other Malay parties better understand the initiatives undertaken by Malay-based parties within the government over the past three years.
"We do not need to quarrel over these issues because they are shared concerns. Even if there are shortcomings, there must be proposals on how they can be strengthened, rather than attacks from outside based on misunderstanding," he said.
Separately, Zahid said authorities must act swiftly over allegations that certain parties were attempting to sabotage the government by leveraging foreign influence, including international media outlets.
While the matter remains under investigation, he warned that failure to address it promptly could threaten political stability.
"This matter is under investigation, so we leave it to the authorities to conduct that investigation.
"For me, this matter must be acted upon immediately to prevent it from spreading like embers beneath the ashes. Political stability should not be threatened because of someone using the media and external parties to damage our country," he said.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that there had been attempts to bring down the government supported by local actors who allegedly sought to use international media and institutions, including prominent Zionist groups.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said preliminary investigations by the Royal Malaysia Police found that the alleged movement was based overseas and had access to substantial financial resources to organise efforts aimed at challenging and destabilising the current administration.
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said yesterday that police had recorded a statement from an individual in connection with the alleged plot to topple the government and sabotage national stability.
He said the individual voluntarily came forward to provide a statement to police on 26 February, the same day a police report regarding the matter was lodged. - March 6, 2026
