KUALA LUMPUR – Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called on those who left the party to return, urging them to rebuild the bridges that had been broken.
"To those who once burned bridges, those who built walls between us and those who built new shelters elsewhere, that is all right. Come home. Come home," he said during the Umno General Assembly at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL) on Friday.
"We can rebuild the bridges. We can tear down the walls. We can leave those old shelters behind. This Umno house is big enough to welcome all of you back."
Zahid said leadership must begin with inner strength, which was why Umno introduced the Rumah Bangsa agenda to give those who had previously been disappointed with the party, or who had distanced themselves from it, an opportunity to contribute again.
He thanked the Umno family for welcoming the agenda and called on members to recognise and welcome those who had returned to the party.
"Ultimately, we are not just celebrating the return of those who have left. We are also welcoming a new generation to join our struggle, especially our young people," he said.
He also called on young people to make Rumah Bangsa their home, where they could stand together with the older generation and move forward as one.
"Enough, let us put aside our differences. Insya-Allah, we will embrace everyone and bring us together under the same roof," he added.
Zahid said every side must have the confidence to move forward together based on trust, while stressing the need for Umno to stand alongside its political allies in Sabah and Sarawak to rebuild Malaysia into a prosperous country.
He also touched on the party's broader vision, saying the Malay community must be strengthened without making other communities live in fear, while Islam must continue to be upheld without other religions feeling threatened.
"I want Umno and Barisan Nasional to remain a major political force in this country, but to be big-hearted enough for us to share power with others. Because this is the kind of leadership we want. Leadership is not about controlling others," he said.