‘Former leaders, including Tun M were previously brought back to the party as they still could make valuable contributions’
KUALA LUMPUR: Umno veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah has voiced his support for Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar’s possible return to Umno, saying that the former Rembau MP should be welcomed back into the party’s fold.
He said several Umno leaders, including former president Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had previously been brought back into the party as they still had valuable contributions to make to both Umno and the nation.
“I like it when people like KJ (Khairy) come back. When Mahathir was expelled, I was the one who worked to bring him back into Umno,” Tengku Razaleigh told theSun in an exclusive interview at his home.
He was responding to a Malay daily report that Umno would welcome Khairy, a former minister, back into its fold.
Khairy, who was expelled from Umno in January 2023 for openly criticising the party leadership, has been the subject of renewed speculation about his return. It was reported that he might rejoin Umno before the Sabah state election at the end of this month.
Tengku Razaleigh stressed that anyone granted a second chance to return must dedicate himself to strengthening the party and above all serving the people.
Recalling the party’s turbulent past, Tengku Razaleigh, fondly known as Ku Li, said the idea of welcoming Mahathir back into Umno was initially rejected by the party hierarchy.
“The then deputy prime minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman had opposed Mahathir’s return, declaring ‘over my dead body’.”
But Tengku Razaleigh, who shared a close relationship with Ismail, managed to persuade him after persistent discussions.
“I spoke to Ismail every night until he agreed on condition that Mahathir would play a good role in Umno. I gave that assurance.”
Tengku Razaleigh, a former finance minister during Barisan Nasional’s long tenure in government, said he had also played a part in bringing current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim into Umno in the early years of Anwar’s political journey.
“I knew he wanted to be prime minister from the beginning. The most important thing is to work for the people, not for self-glorification. Only God deserves to be worshipped, not ourselves.”
Commenting on Umno’s future, Tengku Razaleigh said the party must survive for the sake of Malay political stability, describing it as the only organisation capable of uplifting the community.
“We don’t want to see Umno dead or paralysed.
“Umno has the structure, the grassroots and the trust of the people, especially in the villages. They understand Umno. They don’t really understand PAS.”
He argued that while other parties such as PKR lack the organisational strength and grassroots machinery to serve Malays effectively, Umno remains fair and inclusive, enjoying support even from non-Malays.
“Umno has never been about taking away anyone’s wealth or power.
“It gives opportunities, scholarships and education loans so that poor Malays can study and advance.
“Many still struggle – they wear suits but can’t afford books or living expenses. Malays are not yet truly developed.
“Umno is a premier party. No one can defeat it except ourselves. Leaders today must have the courage to stand up for Umno, not just follow others.”
