Mat Taib: Opposition does not care about Malay agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: Disheartened that the Malay agenda was never discussed at the Opposition parties’ meetings he attended, former Selangor political strongman Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib has rejoined Umno – four years after leaving.
The former Selangor mentri besar and Umno vice-president quit the party a month before the general election in 2013 to join PAS. Muhammad, better known as “Mat Taib”, then left PAS in September 2015 to join PKR.
His re-entry into Umno was announced by party president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in a highly anticipated media conference at Umno headquarters which was attended by most of the party supreme council members.
“We have gathered here today specifically to announce that a former Umno leader who left us has decided to return to the party,” said Najib.
“He realised that the Opposition struggle namely PKR is in vain and is against his spirit.”
Dressed in a blue shirt and black pants, a smiling Mat Taib shook Najib’s hands and told the media that he felt there was no other avenue but Umno which will fight for Malay interests.
Muhammad thanked Najib for his willingness to accept him in Umno and promised to help the party’s leaders in Selangor win back the state.
Najib, asked whether Muhammad would be given any special positions, said that what was important was for Muhammad to rejoin Umno out of his own sincerity, with no demands.
“We will discuss other matters later,” the Prime Minister said.
On whether there were others waiting to rejoin Umno, Najib said it was a possibility judging from the chaos in Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.
Founding Pribumi member Anina Saadudin and the party’s vice-president, Datuk Hamidah Osman, both quit the party on Saturday.
Umno leaders welcomed Muhammad’s return to the fold.
“We hope that this will open the eyes of former leaders. For those who wish to rejoin, the doors of Umno are always open,” said information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
Wanita chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said Wanita Umno will cooperate with Mat Taib, especially in Selangor, to help the people.
Supreme council member Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said the veteran politician’s move would open the eyes of the people, especially the Malays, that there is no other party that can defend their fate other than Umno.