Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia said calls for Hishammuddin to be reinstated would ring hollow unless he himself does not appeal.
“If Hishammuddin remains silent and doesn’t at least express a desire to appeal against his suspension, Umno leaders are under no obligation to accept him back,” he told FMT.
Mazlan was commenting on Sembrong Umno’s motion urging the party leadership to reinstate its former division chief.
Johor Umno chief Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who officiated the Sembrong division meeting yesterday, pledged to bring the motion to the party’s top leadership.
“It’s not for the party leadership to come looking for him, Hishammuddin must take the initiative,” said Mazlan.
Hishammuddin was suspended from Umno for six years in January 2023. Media reports citing the suspension letter said it was due to a violation of Clause 20.9 of the party’s constitution, though no further details were provided.
In December last year, calls emerged for Hishammuddin to return to Umno following the Supreme Council’s decision to lift the suspension of former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying the party was open to accepting Hishammuddin’s return, provided he followed Tajuddin’s example and filed an appeal.
However, Hishammuddin, who is still the MP for Sembrong, said he refused to appeal as he was never informed of the reasons for his suspension.
Mazlan said the Sembrong division’s motion should be seriously considered by the party, as it could likely signal Hishammuddin’s willingness to return to active politics.
“He continues to support the government in Parliament and hasn’t joined any other party. This shows he remains loyal, much like Tajuddin.
“The motion from Sembrong Umno is relevant and deserves careful attention from the party,” he said, adding that Hishammuddin, seen as a future leader, could help strengthen the party in Johor.
Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Hishammuddin’s experience could help boost grassroots support for Umno ahead of the 16th general election, even if he is not vocal as former information chief Shahril Hamdan, who was also suspended, or former youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, who was expelled.
“Reinstating suspended or expelled figures can help strengthen the party, as these individuals have their own grassroots support and loyal followers,” Azmi said.