More than a decade after he was axed, Zaid Ibrahim has returned to Umno with the hope of broadening the mindset of its next generation to mend the nation, which he claims "is not the Malaysia our founders had hoped for".

The 71-year-old former law minister, who had joined other parties and even founded his own to further his ambitions, conceded that the ship bound for the corridors of power had sailed.

Although he plans to contest for a seat in the Umno supreme council, Zaid (above) claimed he is neither motivated by “lofty political aims nor aspires to be anyone important in government”.

“It's a bit late in the day.

“I rejoined Umno to have some younger friends...