Kuala lumpur: UMNO will consider applications from lawmakers and leaders of Bersatu who have been expelled or suspended should they seek to join the party through the Rumah Bangsa initiative, said Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He indicated the party's openness to accepting any individuals, particularly among the Malays.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Ahmad Zahid emphasized the party's open policy at a press conference following the launch of the 2026 National-Level MARA Prihatin programme at Sultan Azlan Shah Maritime Polytechnic. He was responding to a statement by UMNO secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who had expressed a welcoming stance towards Bersatu lawmakers and leaders who were suspended or expelled, inviting them to join UMNO through the Rumah Bangsa initiative.

Recently, Bersatu's Disciplinary Board took action to expel and suspend several lawmakers and party leaders with immediate effect. The expelled members included Suka Menanti assemblyman and Bersatu Alor Setar division chief Dzowahir Ab Ghani, Sungai Tiang assemblyman Abdul Razak Khamis, and Hulu Langat division chief Muhammad Faiz Rahmad. Additionally, five Members of Parliament were suspended from their membership rights for two party election terms. These included Datuk Seri Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz (Tanah Merah), Datuk Abdul Khalib Abdullah (Rompin), Nordin Ahmad Ismail (Lumut), and Datuk Rosol Wahid (Hulu Terengganu).