[UPDATED] Let it be: Annuar resigns to fate in Umno firing, focuses on MN

KUALA LUMPUR – Dejected but forced to come to terms with his recent sacking from Umno, political veteran Tan Sri Annuar Musa has now set his sights on building up Muafakat Nasional (MN) as an active non-governmental organisation (NGO). 

While the former Umno secretary-general appeared resigned to his fate of suddenly being removed from the party after dedicating over 40 years of his life in it, he said that he intends to move forward without holding any ill will against those responsible for his firing. 

“I will not be requesting for my sacking to be reconsidered. Umno has yet to inform me why I was fired. They did not even ask to hear my side (before issuing the termination letter). 

“The next thing I knew, I received a letter informing me that my Umno membership had been terminated. I’m friends with (the party’s) Supreme Council members – but they did not even call me to give me a heads-up,” the former Ketereh MP, said.

Annuar, who served in the federal cabinet in four different portfolios, said this during a press conference at the MN headquarters here today.

He said will also not let his disillusionment with the current leaders of Barisan Nasional (BN) linchpin mar his fight for the people.

He stated that MN will be an “apolitical group”, ready to work with both sides of the political divide. 

Taking aim at Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Annuar said that while the Umno president has denied him his love for Umno, he remains a supporter of the ideals upheld by the party he has been part of since 1979. 

“(Party) membership is just a formality. The fight is still the same,” Annuar said. 

“God and Umno have already given me so much. I don’t know what other plans God has in store for my future, but I just want to be friends with everyone and do good.”

He stressed, however, that he still considers Zahid a friend and does not hold any grudges against the deputy prime minister. 

Pointing out that the nation is in dire need of a force which can unite citizens of all races, he said that MN is centred around the themes of love, unity and respect.

“There is no place for chauvinism and racism in our country. What we need is moderate principles while ensuring that the biggest group, the Malay-Muslims, are united and respect inclusive rights for all,” he said. 

He said that one of the organisation’s planned initiatives will be to organise a political school programme to educate youths on democracy, the federal constitution and the nation’s social contract. 

Additionally, he also announced the line-up for MN’s leadership council, which includes figures such as Umno supreme council member Tan Sri Noh Omar, Parti Bangsa Malaysia’s (PBM) Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar, and independent preacher Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah. 

Besides that, other notable names currently part of the 30-person council are Bersatu Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, Pejuang Federal Territories chief Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan, famous veteran artiste Datuk Jamal Abdillah, and actress Ummi Nazeera. – The Vibes, December 15, 2022