Salim said he was grateful to have been accepted back into the party and thanked Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the Supreme Council for lifting his suspension unconditionally after three years.

“I accept this decision with deep gratitude and humility, fully aware that a great responsibility now lies ahead in continuing the party’s struggle,” he said in a Facebook post.

Salim said he remains loyal to Umno and is committed to strengthening the party, and fostering closer unity within the party’s division in Jempol, Negeri Sembilan.

“This has always been my principle and commitment, past, present, and future,” the ex-Jempol MP said.

In November 2024, Salim had expressed hope that his appeal to be reinstated as an Umno member would be approved after former Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s suspension was lifted.

Salim was given a six-year suspension from the party in January 2023 for allegedly breaching party discipline.

On Friday, Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki disclosed that the party had readmitted more than 6,000 former leaders and members, including ex-youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin and former Supreme Council member Syed Hamid Albar.

The party also lifted former vice-president Hishammuddin Hussein’s six-year suspension.