'Mike Tyson' Returns To UMNO's Ring
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- After almost five years in the the opposition, former UMNO vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib returned to UMNO, thus boosting the effort of the Barisan Nasional's (BN) largest party to recapture Selangor in the 14th general election.
The former Selangor menteri besar for 11 years from 1986 to 1997, Muhammad, 72, who is also known as 'Mike Tyson', painted the country's political landscape with his rise and fall in politics and his struggles to develop the Malays.
Realising that only UMNO is capable of championing the fate of the people and developing the country, Muhammad decided to return to UMNO, the first political party he joined in 1964, as announced by UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak today.
With vast experience in government administration, Muhammad was Batang Kali assemblyman for four terms from 1982 to 1999, and was appointed as Selangor menteri besar in August 1986.
He resigned as menteri besar on April 14, 1997 following a charge of making a false declaration in Brisbane, Australia on an attempt to bring out RM2.4 million from the country.
The case has not dimmed Muhammad's political career as he was appointed UMNO information chief and Selangor UMNO Liaison Committee deputy chairman on Oct 26, 2004.
His 47-year experience in politics has become a yardstick for his appointment as a senator on Nov 17, 2006 for three years by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who was the then prime minister.
Subsequently, Muhammad was appointed as the rural and regional development minister from March 18, 2008 to April 9, 2009, after a Cabinet reshuffle by Najib.
Muhammad lost to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in the race for UMNO deputy president in the party election for the 2008-2011 term.
After a 'short break' in politics, Muhammad decided to join PAS on April 22, 2013.
However, his membership was terminated in July 2015 after he was found to be involved in the Gerakan Harapan Baru which was led by former PAS vice-president Mohammad Sabu. Muhammad left PAS and joined PKR on Sept 11, 2015.
-- BERNAMA
