KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 - Tan Seri Muhyiddin Yassin said that Umno is open to have Datuk Ibrahim Ali back in the party but stressed that the supreme council will have the final say on his application.
The Umno deputy president added that everybody was now interested to join the party, including those who had left to join Pakatan Rakyat (PR) parties.
“We are willing to accept them If they have the desire to join but it depends on the Supreme Council to decide whether it is proper or not to accept them. It depends on their record, background, sincerity and ways, we will evaluate them,” he told reporters during a press conference in Parliament.
Muhyiddin acknowledged Ibrahim's popularity but stressed that the party would not be rushed into making a decision.
“Everybody also knows him. He has his own special and unique political skills (that will add to his advantage) but we will not make any rash decision. If he really does want to join then he would have applied and until now we have yet to receive any application,” he said.
Muhyiddin refused to answer when asked if Ibrahim would help BN’s chances in capturing power in Kelantan but instead commented that the Pasir Mas MP has his “pros and cons.”
“We will research. I think we must be open in this matter because maybe he has repented and realised that Umno is the only party that fights for race, religion and country,” he said.
Ibrahim earlier said that he may consider joining Umno following the leadership change in the party but Kelantan Umno Youth warned against accepting the former Pasir Mas Umno division leader due to his past record.
Ibrahim contested against BN in a by-election in 2005 and contested as an independent in the last general election on a PAS ticket.
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