Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today announced the return of

former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib to Umno.

The Umno president made the announcement at the Umno headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, flanked by top party leaders.

"He found that his struggle in the opposition, especially while in PKR, was meaningless and against his spirit.

"Allah has opened his heart for him to return to Umno. I believe his return to Umno will strengthen Umno and he has promised to fight alongside Umno to ensure its victory," said Najib.

However, it came as an anti-climax as there were expectations that the prime minister would announce the defection of a heavyweight while others had even speculated that it may be related the 14th general election.

The high anticipation was due to Najib having summoned top Umno leaders from across the country to return to Kuala Lumpur for the announcement.

Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also Umno deputy president, had to abandon his programmes in Perlis for the announcement.

International Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Ahmad Maslan, who is also an Umno supreme council member, said he flew back to Kuala Lumpur from Sabah.

Muhammad, better known as Mat Taib, had quit Umno in 2013 to join PAS. He subsequently quit PAS to join PKR in 2015...