KUALA LUMPUR: Senior Umno leaders have welcomed Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib's return to the party, saying that his comeback would strengthen Umno and Barisan Nasional.
Party information chief Tan Sri Annuar Musa said current and former Umno leaders, including Muhammad, have 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 that can bring solidarity or 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 told reporters today.
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.
"He had his own reasons when he made the decision to join Pas, and both Pas and PKR were successful in Selangor.
"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 high fighting spirit and was a committed leader.
Muhammad was a veteran Umno leader before making a surprise move to Pas in 2013 and later to PKR.
Muhammad held key posts during his time in Umno, including stints as vice-president from 2000 to 2003.
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 Muhammad and himself were on different sides, they still enjoyed a close relationship.
"He was my 'sifu' (master) and he chose me as a candidate even though I was only a deputy Umno Youth chief back then. I am where I am now because of that.
"I trust that he would uplift our spirits to ensure that BN would emerge stronger."
Noh said that Muhammad's position in the party would be "discussed later".
Wanita Umno chief Tan Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil meanwhile 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 learned his lesson and this is a lesson for all the others."
Shahrizat was also asked if Wanita Umno was ready to open its arms to former member Datuk Hamidah Osman, and said she would leave the decision to Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Hamidah left Umno for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM), and was appointed as its vice-president. Hamidah however resigned from the PPBM on Saturday.