TELUK INTAN: Umno should refrain from simply accepting back former leaders or members who were found to have betrayed the party and nearly caused its downfall, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said.
The Perak Umno liaison committee chairman said the party's Supreme Council should carry out a thorough evaluation before granting a second chance to those who were sacked or suspended from the party after the 15th General Election.
Saarani, who is also the Perak Menteri Besar, added that accepting those who were not loyal to Umno without any evaluation will not only give a negative impression to the new generation of leaders and members but also demotivate members who remained loyal when the party was tested with defeat in the last election.
"Let us not demoralise loyal leaders and members who have stayed with us by easily accepting back those who have betrayed us and nearly caused our downfall.
"That will demoralise those who have been loyal all this time. Something must be done to appreciate the loyal ones," he told reporters after launching the Central Medicare Sdn Bhd new building in Changkat Jong here today (May 27).
Saarani reminded that there should be no shortcut for former party leaders and members who want to return to the Umno's fold.
"According to Umno Constitution, someone who has left or been expelled, they are required to follow the channels, which is to reapply for membership by filling out a form at the branch.
"The Umno branch has to accept the (application) form, then bring it to the (to be discussed at the) division level before it is referred to and receives endorsement by the Supreme Council because they are party members who have been expelled.
"They will also be assigned with new party membership numbers since they are returning (to Umno) as juniors," he said.
It was reported that Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias said that the party was ready to accept back leaders and members who were removed during the cleansing process carried out by the party after GE15.
Jalaluddin said the second chance would be given to leaders and members who remain loyal and still believe in the struggles championed by Umno, despite having had their membership revoked or being sacked from the party.