'Hishammuddin needs to appeal to lift suspension from Umno'

Summary

• Umno supreme council member Lokman Adam says Hishammuddin Hussein must personally appeal and show remorse for his suspension to be reconsidered, noting no such appeal has been made.

• While some grassroots and party veterans support lifting the suspension, leaders stress the need for loyalty and formal action from Hishammuddin before the matter can be discussed.

Former Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein needs to appeal personally and show genuine remorse to have his suspension lifted, said the party’s supreme council member Lokman Adam.

This is after some of the party’s grassroots called for the suspension to be lifted.

Lokman told Malaysiakini yesterday that the decision to suspend or expel someone from Umno is vested in the party’s supreme council.

Thus, discussion on the possibility of reinstating Hishammuddin’s (above) position will only take place if it is brought up in a supreme council meeting; however, no application has been made regarding the matter so far.

“I’ve never heard of the individual himself (Hishammuddin) appealing. What I know is that he doesn’t want to appeal.

“(Therefore) to me, this issue doesn’t need to be discussed (because) if the individual himself isn’t interested, it’s highly unlikely that the supreme council will discuss it in a meeting,” he said.

Six-year suspension

Umno suspended Hishammuddin’s membership for six years after the party’s supreme council held a meeting in late January 2023.

Along with the Sembrong MP, disciplinary action was also taken against former Umno Youth deputy chief Shahril Hamdan Suffian, former Tanjong Karang MP Noh Omar, former Jempol MP Salim Sharif, and former Tiram assemblyperson Maulizan Bujang.

Noh was meant to be suspended at the time, but was instead sacked upon his request.

Umno’s statement back then did not disclose the reasons for their suspensions.

On June 21, the Sembrong Umno division urged the party to immediately and unconditionally lift Hishammuddin’s suspension.

Sembrong Umno chief Abdul Ghani Abdul Rashid said it was the second time in two years that they had passed such a motion.

Hishammuddin, 63, is the son of Malaysia’s third prime minister and has held various senior positions, including defence minister. He had also served as Umno vice-president.

Demonstrate loyalty

Lokman shared his own experience after being expelled from Umno, saying that he wrote as many as eight letters appealing to be accepted back into the fold.

Therefore, he said, if Hishammuddin is truly remorseful and wishes to return, what he needs to do is appeal to the relevant body.

“He should also demonstrate loyalty to the party. The Umno supreme council needs to be convinced that he is truly with the party and not with Perikatan Nasional," he added.

Umno Veterans’ Club echoed Lokman’s view and urged Hishammuddin to follow the example of former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, who personally appealed to return to the party.

Its secretary, Mustapha Yaakub, also hopes both sides can be open to finding common ground to help strengthen Umno once again.

“I understand that Hishammuddin doesn’t want to appeal because he doesn’t know the reason for his suspension. It’s impossible for the suspension to be without cause. Umno’s disciplinary committee must know.

“Regardless, I hope both parties (Hishammuddin and the Umno supreme council) will be open-hearted. Now is the time to forgive, to unite, and to forget past mistakes.

“Even God can forgive human sins,” he said.

Time to strengthen party

Former Umno supreme council member Armand Azha Abu Hanifah believes now is the time for all parties to focus on strengthening Umno in line with party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s wishes.

He said Hishammuddin is needed to ensure Umno’s operations remain strong, especially in Johor.

“He has repeatedly stated publicly his intention to close the old chapter and open a new one for the sake of Umno’s interests.

“Umno must be more dynamic and progressive in the political landscape, particularly to continue strengthening and solidifying the party towards the 16th general election.

“Umno must be magnanimous in navigating the party’s consolidation by listening to grassroots sentiments and leadership for the sake of future continuity,” he said.

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