UMNO should refrain from simply accepting back former leaders or members who were found to have betrayed the party and nearly caused its downfall, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said.

The Perak Umno liaison committee chairman said the party’s Supreme Council should carry out a thorough evaluation before granting a second chance to those who were sacked or suspended from the party after the 15th General Election.

Saarani, who is also the Perak Menteri Besar, added that accepting those who were not loyal to Umno without any evaluation will not only give a negative impression to the new generation of leaders and members but also demotivate members who remained loyal when the party was tested with defeat in the last election.

“Let us not demoralise loyal leaders and members who have stayed with us by easily accepting back those who have betrayed us and nearly caused our downfall.

“That will demoralise those who have been loyal all this time. Something must be done to appreciate the loyal ones,” he told reporters after launching the Central Medicare Sdn Bhd new building in Changkat Jong, Monday.