9 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sembrong Umno renews call to lift Hishammuddin's suspension
KLUANG: Sembrong Umno has renewed its call for the party leadership to lift the suspension of its former division chief, Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, without conditions.
The motion was tabled at the division's annual delegates meeting today, marking the second consecutive year it has sought the reinstatement of the former defence minister.
Johor Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who officiated the meeting, opened his speech by crediting Hishammuddin as his political mentor.
"Sembrong is not just a political constituency.
"It's where I first learned the meaning of struggle, and the man who brought me into this journey was Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein."
He said this during the meeting at the Sembrong Umno Community Hall here.
Although Hishammuddin was not present, Onn Hafiz acknowledged grassroots sentiment and pledged to convey the motion to the party's leadership.
Umno suspended Hishammuddin for six years on Jan 27, 2023, amid a purge that saw other senior figures — such as former Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, former Information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan and former Selangor chairman Tan Sri Noh Omar — removed or disciplined.
Hishammuddin has refused to appeal his suspension, maintaining that he has still not been told the reason behind the disciplinary action.
Sembrong Umno chief Datuk Abdul Ghani Abdul Rashid said that the motion reflected grassroots demand for the reinstatement of the veteran.
He added that Hishammuddin's experience and influence were vital to Umno's strength, especially with the 16th General Election looming.
"It would be good for the party if leaders like him were brought back. He carries a unique aura in Sembrong, and I am almost certain voters here want him to remain their MP."
Ghani urged Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to seriously consider the matter, saying Hishammuddin's leadership was needed to stabilise and fortify the party.
