Asyraf said Umno has held a series of meetings with these MPs through a special committee chaired by vice-president Khaled Nordin.

However, he said they feared that joining Umno now would trigger the anti-hopping law and cause them to lose their seats.

“However, I can say that many of these MPs and even assemblymen are really interested in joining Umno,” he told reporters at the sidelines of an event here.

Bersatu is the only party that has sacked some of its MPs since the 2022 general election, with its deputy president Hamzah Zainudin among those expelled from the party in February.

Other MPs who were sacked recently by Bersatu included Wan Saiful Wan Jan (Tasek Gelugor), Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal (Machang), Saifuddin Abdullah (Indera Mahkota), Azahari Hasan (Padang Rengas) and Fathul Huzir Ayob (Gerik).

Bersatu also lost six MPs who stated support for the unity government between 2023 and 2024, after declaring that their party memberships had been terminated. The Dewan Rakyat speaker construed this as expulsions, allowing the six to retain their seats.

These six are Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).

Bersatu has more recently sacked several assemblymen, namely Kok Lanas assemblyman Farid Zawawi, Sungai Tiang assemblyman Abdul Razak Khamis and Suka Menanti assemblyman Dzowahir Ab Ghani.

It has also suspended multiple bigwigs and elected representatives, including vice-president and Beluran MP Ronald Kiandee as well as Wanita chief and Masjid Tanah MP Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.

Hamzah, Saifuddin, Syed Hussin, Kiandee and Mas Ermieyati are among those previously from Umno.