KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Bendera Umno division chief Datuk Ahmad Ismail says he accepts his three-year suspension from the party but promises to make a comeback.

However, he refused to apologise or retract his contentious statement and called on Umno members and Malays to stay calm, adding that it was "a lesson for the Malays to be united".

Speaking at a press conference convened by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Mansor after the supreme council announced his suspension yesterday, Ahmad described the decision as "God's will".

"In politics there are leaders and fighters. As a fighter, there are sacrifices and risks. If you are afraid of the ocean waves, don't build your house on the beach.

"Being struck by waves is normal but this time it was a tsunami (that hit me).

"But I have a long time, three years, to build a stronger house. I will build it on the same site. I will stay on with Umno, my party," he said, drawing applause from his supporters who accompanied him.

On the decision, Ahmad noted that it was not an easy one for party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to make.

He said he could still serve Umno in other ways.

"If the division is smart enough to create a new post, like an adviser, I can become an adviser.

"It does not end there and I can even become executive secretary," said Ahmad.