This latest development was announced personally by the prime minister and Umno president at a special press conference at the Umno headquarters, here today.
“Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib is aware that the struggles of the opposition parties, particularly the PKR, are in vain,” said Najib who explained that Muhammad also pledged to work together to ensure Umno’s success.”
The prime minister said he was confident Muhammad’s return would further strengthen Umno.
Najib said the former Selangor Menteri Besar, who is also known as Mat Taib, had pledged to join in the struggle to ensure victory for Umno and the Barisan Nasional in the coming general election.
He also said it would be discussed later if Muhammad would be given any party post especially in Selangor.
“He returned (to Umno) with sincerity without any demand for position from us. His intention is sincere and purely for the party’s struggles,” he said.
Muhammad left Umno and joined PAS in April 2013 before joining PKR in September 2015.
On the possibility of other opposition leaders joining Umno, Najib said “we will have to wait first”.
He said it was as if the opposition, particularly PPBM, had been hit by a storm since of late with several key leaders announcing their withdrawal from the party.
Yesterday, PPBM vice-president Hamidah Osman and Anina Saadudin, who was also among the founders of PPBM, announced that they had quit the party.