KUALA LUMPUR — Former defence minister Hishammuddin Hussein has expressed his willingness to resume an active role in United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) should the party leadership decide to lift his suspension.
In a video posted on social media, the Sembrong MP welcomed recent remarks by UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who indicated that the party could review the status of several suspended leaders as part of efforts to strengthen unity within the party.
“I welcome and appreciate the president’s statement the other day. I have never left the party,” Hishammuddin said.
He added that throughout the three years since his suspension, he had refrained from criticising the party.
“The supreme council previously decided to suspend me. If the party leadership is sincere in its position to lift the suspension, I will return to continue fighting for UMNO,” he said.
Hishammuddin was suspended for six years by UMNO’s supreme council in January 2023, along with several other leaders, for allegedly acting against party interests following the 2022 Malaysian General Election.
A former UMNO vice-president, Hishammuddin has held several key Cabinet positions, including defence minister and foreign minister.
Meanwhile, Zahid recently suggested that the party leadership could revisit the status of suspended members as part of broader efforts to consolidate unity within UMNO
