FORMER Bersatu vice-president Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen stressed that he made up his mind to rejoin Umno before the recent general election (GE15), when it was not known which party would govern the country. 

He said his application to rejoin Umno was accepted and effective on March 18 this year – which is after the party elections – via an Umno Supreme Council decision and not because Umno holds positions in the unity government. 

“I am aware that my decision to join Umno is unpopular, disagreed on by many, and will not be accepted by all parties. 

“However, I am confident and believe that my challenging political journey from the beginning until today, including my struggle with Umno again, is fated,” he said in a statement today. 

He said he submitted his application a few weeks ago and was determined and committed to helping the central Umno leadership, Malacca Umno, and Tangga Batu Umno. 

Mohd Rafiq, who lost the Telok Mas seat in the Malacca state election, decided to leave Bersatu after he wasn’t nominated as a candidate for GE15. – Bernama, February 17, 2023.