Ku Li urged to negotiate, invite Tun M to join UMNO

UMNO veteran Tan Sri Yussuf Latiff said UMNO should welcome the statement by Dr Mahathir who stressed that he could return to UMNO if the largest party of the Malays went back to its initial policy to fight for the religion, race and country.

According to him, Tengku Razaleigh or Ku Li is among the leaders who is still respected by all parties and even Dr Mahathir himself had met and discussed with the former Minister of Finance in searching for the best method of Malay unity.

"Tengku Razaleigh has the capacity as UMNO advisor and can advise all parties to be open-minded and big-hearted to accept Dr Mahathir again for the sake of the religion, race and country," he said in a statement on Thursday.

In the meantime, he was also of the view that current UMNO leaders need to think about the future of the Malays and set aside their personal interests and positions.

“It is time for UMNO leaders to really prove that they are big-hearted if they want to win in the next general election.

"They should accept anyone who wants to return to support and ensure UMNO wins the next election," he said.

Yussuf said Dr Mahathir also needs to return to the UMNO fold in remembrance of the struggles of previous leaders, namely Datuk Onn Jaafar, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak and Tun Hussein Onn.

According to him, all the leaders sacrificed for the sake of the party and the country without any self-interest and did not even reap any personal wealth despite being offered.

He added that even if they do not agree with any individual or leader in the party, UMNO should not be a victim until the government loses power or its registration is revoked.

"Dr Mahathir could sit down with Tengku Razaleigh to discuss recommendations on changes that should be made by UMNO to ensure UMNO returned to power for the sake of championing the cause of Muslims and Malays who are now often manipulated," he said.

He said with the participation of Dr Mahathir, his party that was formed as an UMNO splinter is urged to disband and its members rejoin UMNO as done by Parti Melayu Semangat 46.

Dr Mahathir in the 'Special Interview with Tun M' program organised by Sinar Harian admitted that he could return to UMNO provided the party returns to its original struggle.