Umno sets no conditions for former members, including Bersatu leaders, to return, says Nazri Aziz.
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno has imposed no conditions on any former members who wish to return to the party, including those currently aligned with Bersatu, said Umno veteran Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.
The Padang Rengas Umno division chief said the door for rejoining Umno has already been clearly opened by the party president, Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, leaving no room for additional terms or preconditions.
“The president has already said it openly, so what conditions are there to impose? We are inviting them to come back without any conditions whatsoever,” Nazri said when met at the sidelines of the 2025 Umno Annual General Assembly, in Dewan Merdeka, today.
The former Umno vice-president stressed that the invitation applies broadly, whether former members choose to return individually or en-bloc.
“When the president said he has opened the space for them to return, that means the door is fully open. We put no conditions, so they also must not put any conditions when coming back.
The president also mentioned that it can be either individually or en bloc, so that is clearly understood. If Bersatu wants to come back, then come back.”
Nazri, who is also a former Cabinet minister, said Umno’s stance reflects political maturity and the need to consolidate support amid the current fragmented political landscape, adding that the party’s priority is unity, not settling past grievances.
“We should not be trapped by old emotions. What is important now is to strengthen the party and ensure stability for the country. If people want to return, we welcome them with an open heart.”
Commenting on former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar, popularly known as KJ, Nazri said he was unsure whether Khairy had formally applied to rejoin the party, but believed his political sentiments remained close to Umno.
“I’m not sure whether he has submitted any application to rejoin the party.”
“But I feel that his heart is there, with Umno.
And it’s not only KJ. There are many others who are now in different parties, but their hearts still belong to Umno.”
Nazri reiterated that Umno’s message to former members is straightforward: return without demands.
“When the president has opened the door for a return, then come back. Don’t place any conditions or demands. Just return.”
He added that Umno’s willingness to accept former members without conditions demonstrates the party’s confidence and its role as a unifying force in Malaysian politics.
“At the end of the day, Umno is a big party with a long history. Many people may have left, but emotionally and ideologically, they never truly disconnected. That is why the door is open.”
The latest development comes as Zahid had reportedly remarked that Umno’s door was “not wide open yet not totally shut” during the general assembly.
According to Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Puad Zarkashi, Zahid had meant that
MPs who had defected from Umno to Bersatu are welcomed to return to their original party.
