[UPDATED] Zahid knows I don’t share Anwar’s views: Annuar on Umno SDs

KUALA LUMPUR – Ketereh Umno MP Tan Sri Annuar Musa claims he was never approached by party leaders to sign a statutory declaration (SD) backing opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister.

“Never, (Datuk Seri) Ahmad Zahid Hamidi never (asked me to sign the SD). Maybe he knows who Annuar Musa is and who Anwar Ibrahim is.

“We may share a similar name, but our political stands are different. So, Zahid never asked me to be part of it,” he told reporters after launching the logo and theme for this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day here today.

Annuar was asked if he was aware of the existence of the SDs and if Umno president Zahid had approached him to sign the document backing the PKR number one as the new head of government.

According to Annuar, who is also communications and multimedia minister, he was never involved in the supposed move to back Anwar as prime minister, after Umno’s Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman disclosed the plan that involved several Umno lawmakers.

Tajuddin revealed on Monday that he is a “living witness” that a number of lawmakers led by Zahid had signed the SD backing Anwar, a claim that was later also confirmed by Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz.

“From what I understand, Tajuddin was not the only one confirming the SDs. Nazri did too, and they were among those involved who are more credible to say whether the claim is true or not,” Annuar said.

“Anwar also confirmed it, as did several PKR leaders. I only heard about it (from the news) like everyone else.”

Speaking to the press yesterday, Anwar said the revelation by Tajuddin effectively vindicated him of accusations by critics that he had been lying about possessing enough numbers to form the government during the political turmoil in 2020. 

Annuar today similarly said he has no knowledge of claims by Tajuddin that some Umno top guns were behind a movement to oust Zahid as president, supposedly led by deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

Annuar merely said that, following these recent revelations, it should be the responsibility of the leadership to reunite the party, advising those in power to address the issue internally. 

“I think it is only good that we focus on our solidarity and providing service to the rakyat. We need to focus on strengthening the party... don’t wash any dirty linen in public.”

He also urged the media not to give too much attention and coverage to claims made by ordinary party members, possibly referring to Tajuddin, and to instead focus on issues concerning the rakyat. 

“I observe that sometimes, we take a news source with a locus standi of an ordinary person, but treat him as though he is of a prime minister status. But when the prime minister says something important, it is muted. 

“I feel like we should prioritise something based on a person’s position. If he doesn’t have the authority to talk about party issues, news coverage should stop at that. 

“This is different if the president issues a statement. I’m not saying those without position can’t speak out. They can. But treatment towards them should be according (with their position).” – The Vibes, July 1, 2022