UMNO is open to any Malay or Bumiputera who wishes to join the party, said UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

"To us (UMNO), any Malay and Bumiputera can (apply to) join the party," he told a press conference here tonight.

He said aspiring members would have to go through the normal procedure, and it is up to the UMNO Supreme Council to decide on their applications.

"I think many UMNO leaders have said that we are an open party. Many who left (UMNO) have returned. But it has to be decided by the Supreme Council," said Ismail Sabri, who is Senior Minister (Security Cluster) and Defence Minister.

He said this when commenting on calls by certain UMNO leaders for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is Bersatu president and acting chairman, to rejoin UMNO.

-- BERNAMA