Kuala lumpur: UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that the party has accepted applications from two political entities seeking to rejoin UMNO en bloc. He revealed that one of the parties is Parti Ikatan Bangsa Malaysia, led by Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir, while the identity of the second party remains undisclosed.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid shared this development during his closing speech at the 2025 UMNO General Assembly. He mentioned that Tan Sri Kadir Sheikh Fadzir expressed his intention to hand over his party to UMNO for absorption. These applications will be reviewed by the newly-established Committee on Uniting the Race.

Ahmad Zahid, who also holds the position of Deputy Prime Minister, stated that UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has been appointed to lead the committee. The committee's role is to ensure that the applications are processed in accordance with UMNO's constitution and regulations.

Addressing concerns among UMNO members regarding the potential candidacy of former party members, Ahmad Zahid assured that any decisions on this matter would be made by him personally in the future. He emphasized his authority as the Barisan Nasional chairman to sign appointment letters, indicating that he would have the final say on candidate selection.

In his address, Ahmad Zahid also announced the formation of a Committee to Unite the Race. This committee's purpose is to evaluate and accept both individual and en bloc applications to join UMNO, reflecting the party's strategy to strengthen its ranks.