The decision was announced today by Prime Minister Najib Razak at Menara Dato Onn, Putra World Trade Center (PWTC), here. All Umno supreme council members were present.
“I thank Prime Minister Najib Razak for accepting me again,” he said.
“I promise I will remain with the party’s leaders, especially in Selangor.”
He said the reason he rejoined Umno was because he believed his struggles in the opposition were a waste of time.
“I made this decision after five years.
“Malays must remain firm with Umno. The party has been with us from the beginning.”
Najib commended the move, saying it was not a question of power.
“His move is because he is struggling for the Malays, not because he wants position.”
Muhammad, better known as Mat Taib, was the former rural and regional development minister in 2009 before he was replaced by Shafie Apdal.
He had been an Umno and Barisan Nasional member from 1964 till 2013, when he joined opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat under PAS. He quit the Islamist party in September 2015.
He then joined PKR as an ordinary member. He said he joined PKR as he wished for a strong alternative government to be formed.
Mat Taib said he felt Pakatan Harapan had forgotten the Malays.
“In the meetings I attended, the fate of the Malays was never mentioned.
“I see now that the Malays have been split. We have PAS, Amanah, PKR and PPBM.
“Therefore, I feel our only choice is Umno because it is the only party that has been firm in fighting for the Malays and other races.”
Selangor Umno chairman Noh Omar welcomed Mat Taib back into the party.
“We welcome a great leader who we all know was previously a Selangor MB.
“His rejoining Umno gives us renewed confidence that we will be able to win back Selangor.”
There were no other announcements made by Najib at the press conference, which had earlier sparked off speculation about the 14th general election.