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UMNO will set up a body known as the Ummah and Malay Unity Committee to pave the way for the return of former party members, including those who left to form or join other political parties, UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced on Saturday.
Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of Barisan Nasional, said the party was prepared to accept returning members either on an individual basis or en bloc.
“The doors of this house of the nation are always wide open. This is where we were born, and therefore, to welcome home our brothers, sisters and family members, a committee for the unity of the ummah and the Malay nation will be established.
“PAS originated from us, PKR came from us, and Bersatu also came from us. I want to hear from this general assembly, are we all ready to welcome our brothers back into this house of the nation,” he said, drawing cheers and applause from more than 6,000 UMNO delegates.
He made the remarks while delivering his presidential address at the UMNO General Assembly 2025 at Dewan Merdeka, World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
In his speech, Zahid said past attempts to form a broad umbrella for Malay unity without UMNO had failed, with history showing such efforts did not gain public support.
“That umbrella collapsed because it was not anchored to its original home. Why do we need an umbrella when the house already stands firm and majestic. The history of this house of the nation will never be erased,” he said.
He added that UMNO had been the birthplace of numerous Malay-based political parties and movements, including PAS, Semangat 46, PKR, Bersatu, Pejuang, Warisan, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, all of which, he said, shared a common national spirit.
“Some were born out of conflict and disappointment, others emerged due to differences in direction and platforms that did not align.
“This is not a history to be celebrated arrogantly, but one that must be reflected upon with humility. Malay-Islamic politics cannot continue to be fragmented,” he said.
Zahid stressed that UMNO remained the original home of Malay politics, from which independence was achieved, the Federal Constitution was formed, Islam was upheld as a pillar of the nation and the Malay Rulers were sovereign.
“This house is not merely walls and a roof. It became the axis of a nation state, a canopy that shelters people of all religions, races and cultures,” he said.
He also called for UMNO to cleanse itself of arrogance to once again become a welcoming refuge for all Malaysians, regardless of status or rank.
“This house must be swept clean of the dust of arrogance so that it can once again be a comfortable shelter for all children of the nation. UMNO is not an elite party, but one born from the sweat of the people.
“UMNO is a home for all to return to when some have lost their way, when some have fallen further. Come back, come back. As the proverb says, ‘when lost at the end of the road, return to the beginning’,” he said. - January 16, 2026