KUALA LUMPUR – MIC has questioned the removal of Tan Sri Annuar Musa as Barisan Nasional (BN) secretary-general without the consultation of all BN component parties.
Its president, Tan Sri S.A. Vigneswaran, said the party was also not informed about the appointment of Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan to replace Annuar.
However, he opined that the removal was legitimate, adding that according to the BN constitution, it is not a requirement to consult component parties for any removal.
“The removal of Annuar is legitimate, but you cannot appoint anyone as a secretary-general unless it is done through BN’s supreme council. Sacking is permissible, but (new) appointment cannot,” he said when contacted today.
It was reported that Annuar, who is also Federal Territories minister and Ketereh MP, was removed as BN secretary-general yesterday, with Ahmad being appointed to fill in the position.
BN is led by Umno, with the other component parties being MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah.
Meanwhile, MCA also expressed surprise about Annuar’s removal, saying that the coalition’s component parties were not consulted nor was the decision made by its supreme council.
“In MCA’s view, any appointment to a post in the coalition must be done based on BN’s constitution, according to convention, tabled and reached a consensus at a BN supreme council meeting,” the party said in a statement. – Bernama, January 6, 2021