'Open our door but some need to be filtered,' Umno delegate tells Zahid

UMNO AGM | A Malacca Umno delegate has urged the party leadership to exercise some caution in opening its door to former members.

Mustafa Musa said that while he supported party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's move extending an olive branch to former Umno leaders who have been sacked or suspended, the party must exercise some form of filtering.

"Datuk Seri president, you can open the door as wide as possible, and if that is not enough, we can also open all the windows and even the roof, so that those who used to 'tebuk atap' can come back through the roof.

"But Datuk Seri... I believe all the delegates here would agree with me, even when we open our door as wide as we can, we still need to have a password.

"There must be some ground rules," he said when debating the Umno president's policy speech at the Umno general assembly at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mustafa was referring to Zahid's invitation to former party leaders to return to Umno, a move aimed at strengthening the party ahead of the 16th general election.

The Alor Gajah Umno division deputy chief said the party must be wary of letting in certain figures, especially those who had previously betrayed them.

"These sorts of figures must be filtered, or else we might suffer," he said.

‘Check and balance is crucial’

Negeri Sembilan delegate Sufian Maradzi defended the party leadership's decision to remain in the coalition government.

He said Umno is playing the crucial role of check and balance for the government, especially in defending the interests of the Malays and bumiputera.

"Umno is not only playing the role of administrator, but it is a check and balance for the government today.

"Look at issues like URA (Urban Renewal Act), UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) and the local council election. Who are the ones who objected to these (proposals) if not Umno leaders?

"And who were the ones that introduced policies that benefit Malay and Muslim future generations?" he asked in his debate speech.

Umno hasn't decided on electoral cooperation with Harapan

Defend Zahid's DPM post, uphold Umno chief's 'dignity' - delegate

'We sail with Capt Zahid', Umno Youth delegate flags mutinous crew

Zahid denies staying in govt to save himself, sidelining Najib

'One step at a time,' KJ says on return to Umno