HISHAMMUDDIN Hussein said being suspended as an Umno member does not mark the end of his political career, but the start of a new beginning.

In a short video message, the former Umno vice-president said he will continue the fight for religion, race and country.

“What happened has not broken my spirit to continue my fight for religion, race and country.

“This is not the end, but a new beginning,” he said in the message posted on Facebook

Yesterday, the Sembrong lawmaker was suspended for six years.

Also suspended are former Jempol MP Mohd Salim Shariff and former Tiram assemblyman Maulizan Bujang.

Umno gave the boot to Khairy Jamaluddin and Noh Omar, both veteran leaders, for allegedly working against the interests of the party.

Hishammuddin, 61, is believed to have been suspended over his involvement in getting 10 Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers to back Perikatan Nasional chairman Muhyiddin Yassin in his bid to become prime minister after the general election when BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi wanted to throw the coalition’s lot in with Pakatan Harapan chairman Anwar Ibrahim.

Zahid, who is also Umno president, described the suspensions and sackings as a move to “cleanse” the party.

Hishammuddin said he will discuss his political future with the Umno Sembrong division before making any decision.

The former defence minister’s latest statement comes after his brief Instagram post earlier today, where he said “their evil must not make us lose our good”.

An earlier post depicted himself consoling an Umno supporter. – January 28, 2023.