THE return of former Selangor Menteri Besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib to Umno is a non-event, political analysts say after a much-hyped media conference to announce his comeback by Umno president Najib Razak.

Pollster Merdeka Centre director Ibrahim Suffian said there was nothing much to say about it.

He does not even think Muhammad’s return would brighten Umno’s chances in winning back Selangor, which has been under opposition control since 2008.

“Umno will have to do much more than that. A hell of a lot more than that,” he told The Malaysian Insight today.

Muhammad, 72, was menteri besar from 1986 to 1997. He joined PAS in April 2013, just two days before the 13th general election.

He was quoted as saying previously that “PAS is the only party that can lead Malaysia towards Islam”. But he quit the Islamist party in September 2015 and joined PKR.

A veteran’s return is nothing exciting

Ilham Centre chief executive Hisomuddin Bakar echoed Ibrahim’s view, saying that Muhammad’s return was not “a much-awaited surprise”.

He concurred that Muhammad’s return was a tactical move to attack opposition-held Selangor but could not see how the veteran politician could make an impact that would compromise the stability of the state.

“There is no exciting element here because the person has been off the political radar for a long time. His Umno comeback is not expected to give Selangor Umno a new boost. He is merely a veteran.

“Using political personalities who have gone in and out of the party is an old strategy to make the party look like it is getting stronger and their rival turning weaker,” he said. He, however, added that this was an indication that the next general election was getting closer.

And like Ibrahim, Hisomuddin believed the return of a party veteran would not be enough to help Umno.

“What Selangor Umno needs is a line-up of young leaders and personalities who are convincing and capable of taking over the state government,” he said.

He also pointed out that Muhammad had changed parties several times, and this was a yardstick that measured a person’s true integrity.

“Returning to Umno does not mean he will give the party extra strength at the state or national level,” he said.

Taib should not be underestimated

Retired Universiti Sains Malaysia lecturer Professor Ahmad Atory Hussain, meanwhile, said Muhammad’s return to Umno had surprised him.

“As a political observer, I am surprised. Muhammad had been part of the (Pakatan) entourage, attending ceramah, forums and various programmes organised by the opposition coalition.

“He even gave speeches at Pakatan ceramah,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Acknowledging his Umno comeback as a strategy to help Selangor Umno gain more votes in the state, Atory said Muhammad’s influence as a former menteri besar should not be underestimated.

“The man has followers, loyalists – people who follow him where he goes. When Muhammad was menteri besar, many of his followers prospered, with some becoming millionaires… maybe even billionaires. So, he has people loyal to him.

“His return to Umno might get some other old party members to return their support to Umno too. He also has many Chinese and Indian friends. He is good with MCA and Gerakan,” he said.

Atory said he was not saying that Muhammad would deliver victory to Barisan Nasional in Selangor, but he could make things harder for Pakatan to defend the state, which is the richest in Malaysia.

“I am saying Muhammad’s influence should not be underestimated. Pakatan cannot get too comfortable,” he said.

Atory also believed that Muhammad would be rewarded for his return, with some position waiting for him.

“Who knows? Maybe they will make him state Umno chief, give him a ministerial post.

“If nothing great is coming, I don’t think so many people would have gathered (at the press conference) just for him,” he added.

In the anti-climactic 20-minute press conference this afternoon, Najib said the former Selangor menteri besar was rejoining Umno from PKR. 

“He realises that the struggles of the opposition parties, especially PKR, are a waste,” said Najib.

Muhammad said he made this decision after experiencing five years “on the other side” of the political divide.

He said he felt his struggle was futile when he was with the opposition, which did not discuss the Malay agenda in their meetings.

“Therefore, I feel there is no other path for me other than Umno, ” Muhammad said, thanking Najib for graciously accepting him back.– September 17, 2017.