KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, suspended from Umno for six years, today trained his guns at the party leadership for "inviting" sacked or suspended party members to the Umno General Assembly this Wednesday.

In an apparent jab against Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Hishammuddin said the 'insulting and comical' invitations only reflected the mentality of the current crop of Umno leaders.

On Saturday, Zahid said former or suspended members could attend the assembly if they "miss such gatherings." He however said these individuals could "act as observers" outside the hall as the proceedings continue inside.

Asyraf, meanwhile, had jokingly invited those who had been sacked to 'update' their kain samping to new ones at the assembly.

Hishammuddin was not amused by the statements.

"I'm sure there are many people who miss the old Umno.

"There's no need to invite them to the assembly in jest or in an insulting fashion. This only reflects the mentality and thinking of the current crop of Umno leaders.

"It also doesn't help the party with winning over the hearts of the grassroots," he wrote on his Facebook page.

Hishammuddin said those who were sacked lose nothing as the punishment has already been meted out.

"The party no longer needs our services. The real loser is Umno, which is impacted by such cynical overtures," he said.

Umno had earlier this year sacked several leaders including former Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin as well as veteran Tanjong Kararang Umno division chief Tan Sri Noh Omar.

It also meted out a six year suspension against Hishammuddin, who was former party vice-president, and former information chief Shahril Sufian Hamdan.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/06/916876/hishammuddin-lashes-out-over-insulting-invite-umno-general-assembly