Former Selangor Menteri Besar woos the crowd in Sungai Limau

Former Umno vice-president Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib was the top draw during a ceramah in Sungai Limau last night.

Muhammad did not disappoint the curious crowd. He told them why he left the Malay party after many years as its senior leader, including almost a decade as the Selangor menteri besar.

"I have been in Umno for a very long time. After doing a lot of soul searching, spending time a lot at the surau, I realised that I needed to be a better person. That was why I left Umno and support PAS today," he declared.

The 62-year-old joined PAS just before the 13th general election. His presence during the campaign played a role in helping PAS win more seats in Selangor.

In his speech at Kuala Sungai Limau last night, the veteran politician told the crowd that Umno should not govern as they had been in power for so long and committed many mistakes.

"The party brought lots of progress but it also brought more harm along the way," said Muhammad.

He said voters in Sungai Limau should send a signal to Putrajaya that they were not happy with its policies.

"They are in power again and look what they did. The budget that they presented has angered many. So vote PAS to show the government that the people are not happy," he said.

Muhammad is among other top PAS leaders campaigning in Sungai Limau, including PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, deputy president Mohamad Sabu and vice-president Salahuddin Ayub.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat deputy president Azmin Ali and vice-president Nurul Izzah were also in Sungai Limau.

PAS is fielding Mohd Azam Abdul Samat to defend the seat against BN's Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim. The by-election was called after the death of its assemblyman, former Kedah Menteri Besar Tan Sri Azizan, last month.