Under Najib, Umno once agreed to suspend leaders with criminal cases: Annuar Musa

SHAH ALAM – Umno under Datuk Seri Najib Razak had once agreed that members facing criminal trials would face disciplinary action, including suspension from party posts, said former secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

He said the matter was decided by Umno’s top leadership after Najib became prime minister and the party president in 2009, replacing Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. 

“The Umno general assembly had never made such a resolution other than in 2009, when the Supreme Council decided to introduce a rule, whereby a leader who is charged in court will be suspended from their positions. 

“However, the current Supreme Council does not enforce the matter. 

“I, as a member of the party, will comply. Policy matters are decided only by the council and during the general assembly,” Annuar was reported saying by Getaran, The Vibes’ Bahasa Malaysia sister portal.

Najib was prime minister and Umno president from 2009 until 2018, by which time allegations of his involvement in the massive 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal were revealed, a major factor in leading voters to ditch Barisan Nasional at the polls that year.

In July 2020, he was found guilty by the high court of corruption involving SRC International Sdn Bhd. He lost in his appeal at the Federal Court last month and was ordered to immediately serve his 12-year imprisonment. He also has to pay a RM210 million fine.

Annuar, who is communications and multimedia minister, told of Umno’s 2009 decision during a press conference following the launch of the PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia initiative in Shah Alam earlier today. 

He was commenting on the PAS Ulama wing’s recent proposal for the government to bar any individual facing corruption trials from contesting in the general election. 

The wing’s chief, Senator Datuk Ahmad Yahaya, said this is to prevent individuals from abusing their position to avoid legal action. 

Ahmad said the recent constitutional amendment that outlaws party-hopping alone would not be sufficient to maintain the integrity of candidates and parties contesting. 

Annuar, who was removed as Umno secretary-general in January last year and replaced by Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, said the enforcement of the 2009 decision should be proposed to the Umno leadership once again.

“Yes, there was a decision in 2009, but it is now 2022. 

“However, I don’t have the locus standi to comment on it. 

“I believe current office-bearers in Umno have enough credibility to make policy decisions. I can’t say yes or no, right or wrong, because this can only be decided by the Supreme Council.” – The Vibes, September 3, 2022