KUALA LUMPUR: Former Pasir Salak member of Parliament Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman is hoping that Umno will accept his latest appeal to overturn his six years of suspension from the party.
Tajuddin, who is a former Umno supreme council member, said his first two appeals were rejected, with the latest made in March yet to receive any answer.
Asked if he has received offers to join other parties, Tajuddin replied; "I am loyal to Umno. The party has contributed a lot to me and vice versa.
"Why should I leave the party? Even if I'm the only one left in Umno, I will never leave the party.
"Hence, I hope the president will give me back my 'keris' (uplifting his suspension). How is it possible for me to 'silat' (to assist and fight together with the party) when I don't have the 'keris' with me," he told a press conference at Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL).
Tajuddin was at WTCKL in conjunction with Umno general assembly, despite being suspended.
Meanwhile, Tajuddin said Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan has failed in his previous role as the party secretary-general.
Tajuddin, who is a former Pasir Salak member of parliament, said Ahmad has failed to advise party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi well.
Tajuddin claimed that Ahmad had failed to listen to the grassroots regarding candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15).
"While preparing for the election, the grassroots already said they want local candidates.
"Yet, the party opted for 'outsiders', causing the grassroots members to protest over it and voted against Umno.
"Who is on the losing end here?" he said.
In October last year, Tajuddin was suspended from the party and was not chosen to defend his Pasir Salak seat during the election.
Earlier in June, Tajuddin was sacked from Umno Supreme Council, before being dropped as Malaysia's ambassador to Indonesia in July. -- Reporting by Adib Povera, Hana Naz Harun, Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi and Qistina Sallehuddin