Hisham has asked for membership to be restored, says Asyraf

2026-03-16 - 14:45

Sembrong MP Hishammuddin Hussein said last week that ‘returning’ to Umno would not be difficult for him as he had never left the party despite being suspended in 2023. PETALING JAYA: Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein has officially requested for his suspension from the party to be lifted. Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said his office had received several applications from leaders who were previously suspended or expelled from the party, including Hishammuddin, to “return” to the party. Hishammuddin, the Sembrong MP, was suspended from Umno for six years in 2023 for alleging breaching party discipline. “Besides Khairy Jamaluddin, many other leaders who have contributed their services in the past have submitted letters to return and strengthen this ‘Rumah Bangsa’ platform of struggle, including Hishammuddin Hussein,” Asyraf said in a Facebook post today. He described the development as “poignant” and “heartening” in the final nights of Ramadan. Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said the party’s doors were “unconditionally” open to former members, and that all mistakes and differences would be “forgiven” in the spirit of Ramadan. In a Facebook video last week, Hishammuddin said he appreciated the sentiment, and urged the party’s leadership to lift his six-year suspension if it was sincere about welcoming former members back into its fold. The former defence minister said “returning” to Umno would not be difficult for him as he had never left the party despite being suspended in 2023. Former Umno Youth chief Khairy has also applied to return to Umno, three years after being sacked by the party for similar reasons. Zahid said the former Rembau MP and ex-health minister submitted his letter of appeal to return to the party when they met last Sunday.