BACK IN THE FOLD: Former opposition strongman Ezam (left), who was instrumental in setting up Parti Keadilan Rakyat, handing over his Umno application form to Prime Minister Abdullah yesterday. -- PHOTO: THE STAR/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK

The move is a psychological blow to the opposition and its leader Anwar Ibrahim, even though Mr Ezam is not a member of any opposition party.

He is a former political secretary of Datuk Seri Anwar and a close political ally, but quit Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) last year after a falling out with party leaders.

Mr Ezam, 41, left Umno when Mr Anwar was sacked in 1998, and was instrumental in setting up PKR.

Observers are quick to point out that his latest move will give a boost to Umno, and that Mr Ezam could prove to be a powerful ally of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in staving off a challenge from the opposition.

Reflecting the significance of the crossover, Datuk Seri Abdullah personally received Mr Ezam's application form yesterday after meeting him privately.

'He wants to come back to Umno. I have accepted it without conditions. He will not get any special privileges or positions,' he told reporters later.

Mr Ezam, who was present, declined to comment.

He told private news channel TV3 later: 'What is happening lately in Umno and the policies of Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi - on the judiciary, Anti-Corruption Agency, on corruption - are among the main incentives for me to rejoin...These are reforms close to my heart.'

His insider knowledge of Mr Anwar and PKR operations will be useful to Umno at a time when it is fighting to prevent defections from its ranks to the opposition.

Mr Anwar has been actively wooing MPs from the Umno-led Barisan Nasional.

There is speculation that Mr Ezam's return will be particularly useful to Mr Abdullah in securing support in Umno's internal elections in December.

Mr Ezam could be put up as a candidate for the Umno Youth chief's post, against Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir who has announced his intention to contest, analysts say.

Mr Mukhriz, a son of former premier Mahathir Mohamad, is a fierce critic of Mr Abdullah and has called on him repeatedly to resign.

But there are reservations within Umno itself about taking back a prominent turncoat.

Umno Youth chief Hishammuddin Hussein last week asked rhetorically about the benefit of Mr Ezam rejoining the party, his sincerity and the role he will play in the party.

The shift in power balance in Umno will be watched closely as the party heads for its annual polls, which begin in July at the branch levels.

Asked about Mr Ezam's earlier criticisms of Umno, Mr Abdullah said those were made when he was not a party member.

After he left PKR, Mr Ezam had set up anti-corruption non-governmental organisation Gerak, which was critical of the government.

The Straits Times understands that in recent months, he had been working with certain Umno leaders to help the party come up with ideas for reforms.

carolynh@sph.com.sg