‘Homecoming’ of rebels kicks up a stink in Umno

There has been a storm of opinions in the mobile chat groups of Umno members regarding news that the six MPs who quit the party will be allowed back into the party.

The opinions range from outright disgust and opposition to a more forgiving acceptance of the six whose rebellion last month was the catalyst to the Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi taking leave of absence.

News claiming that the six MPs would be rejoining Umno were met with harsh remarks such as “sampah” (garbage) and “traitors” in those mobile chat groups.

Those opposed to their readmission declared that there would be no forgiveness for their betrayal, with one commentator saying that “the general who runs away from the battle field deserves to face the firing squad”.

However, Kelantan opposition chief Datuk Alwi Che Ahmad took a different stand and is advocating a second chance for the rebels.

“I know that our members are still very angry with them. What they did was wrong but if people want to come back, we should accept because it is not easy to get six parliamentary seats.

“Their aim was not to join Bersatu. They are out to stop Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from becoming prime minister and they wanted Zahid to step down,” said Alwi who is also Kok Lanas assemblyman.

But Alwi said the group cannot come back to their previous party posts in the divisions or supreme council and they will have to start as ordinary members.

On a lighter note, Alwi said those who left are people whose GPS is not functioning and “that’s why they ended up in the middle of nowhere”.

The avalanche of opinions has not stopped even though one of the six, Ikmal Hisham, has denied outright that he is rejoining Umno.

Sources close to the gang of six said none of them have applied to return to Umno. As of now, all of them remain as independent MPs.

However, it is understood that something is brewing behind the scenes to help pave the way back to Umno for them.

Well-placed sources claimed that Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein could be playing a key role in reconnecting the group with Umno.

Alwi said the Umno grassroots had not followed the leaders who left the party.

“It shows that nowadays, people do not respect those who jump from one side to the other,” he said.