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Bloomberg
A former Malaysia government minister who shifted allegiance to the opposition has returned to the ruling party, according to Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Muhammad Muhammad Taib, known as Mat Taib, is rejoining the United Malays National Organisation from the People’s Justice Party, or PKR, Najib told. Local reports earlier in the day said a “major announcement†would be made, sparking speculation Najib would announce snap elections.
The government is touting Mat Taib’s return ahead of an election as a sign the opposition can’t deliver on its promises, especially to the ethnic Malay majority. A vote must be held by August 2018 but could come before the end of the year as Najib seeks to capitalise on disarray in the opposition.
“He realised that the opposition’s struggle, namely PKR, is in vain,†Najib said in a Twitter posting after the Sunday briefing, referring to Mat Taib. “I am certain he is able to contribute to the success of UMNO†and the broader Barisan Nasional ruling coalition, he said.
Taib doesn’t hold any parliamentary or state assembly seat, and it’s not immediately clear what he brings to the table for UMNO.
He joined the main Islamic opposition group Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS, in 2013 before leaving two years later. Most recently he was a member of the PKR.