“If he requests (to come back to Umno), maybe,” Zahid said here when asked about the possibility of Dr Mahathir’s return. “The supreme council will discuss the matter if he is really serious about being with us and will not stab us in the back. Umno members and leaders are very open minded and accepting.”

However, Zahid expressed doubt that the former premier would rejoin the party any time soon.

He expressed sadness over Mahathir’s relentless attacks against Umno. “We monitor Dr Mahathir’s movements in Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar although we know in Malaysia’s democratic system, campaigns are a normal practice.

“We feel sad that he, as the party’s former president is willing to tarnish the reputation of Barisan Nasional’s candidates in the effort to defeat the party in the two by-elections, especially in Sungai Besar.”