Muhammad’s comeback will make party stronger, say leaders

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib’s return will strengthen Umno and Barisan Nasional, say senior leaders of the party.

Umno Information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said current and former Umno leaders, including Muhammad, had realised the importance of thinking about a “bigger agenda”, instead of individual gains.

“I think Muhammad has realised this after his five years in Pas and PKR.

“Our party welcomes anyone who can bring solidarity and strength to Umno’s politics.

“We hope that there will be many more former leaders who want to return to the fold. Umno’s doors will always be open,” he said after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced Muhammad’s move.

Annuar denied that Muhammad, better known as Mat Taib, was sent by Umno to be a “spy”, adding that the party did not subscribe to such a strategy.

“But when you are (on the other side) yourself, then you are able to see and think about things more clearly,” he said, adding that Muhammad was someone who had a fighting spirit and was a committed leader.

Selangor Umno liaison committee chief Tan Sri Noh Omar said Muhammad’s return was a “new strength” to ensure that the party could wrest Selangor from Pakatan Harapan.

He said although he and Muhammad were on different sides, they enjoyed a close relationship.

“He was my sifu (master) and he chose me as a candidate even though I was only an Umno Youth deputy chief back then.

“I am where I am now because of that.

“I trust that he will uplift our spirits to ensure that BN emerges stronger.”

Noh said Muhammad’s position in the party would be “discussed later”.

Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil described Muhammad’s comeback as “inevitable”.

She said the opposition had nothing to offer to Malaysians or the country, adding that the way forward was to be with BN.

“At the end of the day, Mat Taib, having gone to the other side, knows which is the better party.

“He has learned his lesson and this is a lesson for all the others.”

Shahrizat was also asked whether Wanita Umno was ready to open its arms to former member Datuk Hamidah Osman. She said she would leave the decision to Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Hamidah left Umno for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, and was appointed vice-president. She resigned from PPBM on Saturday.