KOTA BARU – An interesting twist of familial loyalty played out when former Ketereh MP, Tan Sri Annuar Musa and his son, Afiq Amani Annuar, showed up supporting their respective parties at the candidate nomination centre at the Ketereh-Bandaraya Islam District Council this morning.
Annuar made his presence felt by backing the PAS candidates for the Melor, Kadok, and Kok Lanas State seats, with over 3,000 supporters turning up as early as 8am.
The head of Muafakat Nasional was accompanied by several prominent figures from PAS and Bersatu. Among them were the Ketereh MP Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor, Putrajaya MP Datuk Radzi Jidin, and PAS’ Syura Ulama Council member Nasruddin Hassan Tantawi.
They also performed a special prayer with supporters before submitting their nomination forms.
On the other hand, Afiq, who is the Umno Youth chief for the Ketereh division, accompanied the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Amanah candidates representing the unity government alongside Ketereh Umno division chief Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad.
The former communications and multimedia minister said he was there as a PAS party member to support the PAS candidates for the three assembly seats – Wan Rohaimi Wan Daud (Melor), Datuk Azami Mohd Nor (Kadok) and Datuk Mohamed Farid Mohamed Zawawi (Kok Lanas).
Annuar added that he was ready to step aside for younger, more credible candidates in the spirit of rejuvenation. He stressed that his goal was not just to be a candidate, but to “reset” a topsy-turvy political scenario where the government has been underperforming and losing public trust.
Despite their differing political allegiances, the father-son duo’s involvement in their respective camps only intensifies the drama of the political landscape in Ketereh.
Annuar also pledged to bring victory to the people of Ketereh for the Kok Lanas seat, which was previously held by BN.
As for the recent statement regarding voting for Umno being haram, Annuar denied it, clarifying that he was urging voters to reject voting for Umno-BN as long as the party aligns itself with DAP.
“Correct that statement. I didn’t say voting for Umno-BN is haram. But don’t support Umno when it collaborates with DAP, whose fundamental principles not only slightly differ but entirely oppose the idea of an Islamic state – pushing for equal rights, maintaining the policy of Malaysian Malaysia, and taking jabs at the Malay community’s consensus as being Taliban-like, among others,” he said. – The Vibes, July 29, 2023
