Annuar Musa: I'm having a tough time keeping everyone in Umno together

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa says he is finding it difficult keeping everyone in the party together, as its leaders are constantly being enticed to switch allegiances to another party.

However, he was unfazed by the latest exit of Guar Chempedak assemblyman Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail from Umno to become an independent, saying that such incidences will continue to take place in future.

"I continuously receive information that people are approaching our MPs and our assemblyman's. Some of them have also made up their minds to crossover.

"So, I'm having a tough time as secretary-general, keeping everyone together. That is why we have to do more road tours to engage more (Umno leaders and members)," he said to reporters when met at the Parliament lobby on Monday (Nov 12).

Annuar also said some elected representatives feel that the need for allocations are crucial and believe they are unable to carry out their responsibilities without it.

"Some of them use this as an excuse to quit the party, apparently for the interest of their voters," he said.

Annuar says he respects any decision made by its current crop of MPs and assemblymen, pointing out that the political climate is very different than before.

"Barisan Nasional is the only coalition that does not bind our MPs (to any agreement). So, it really depends on those leaders themselves," he said.

Ku Abdul Rahman was a Barisan assemblyman since 2008, and was appointed a Kedah exco member from 2013 to 2018.

Umno is has been rocked by the exit of some prominent leaders, notably Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed who left the party after serving for more than 40 years.

Several party stalwarts such as Kimanis MP Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal, former Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and Bagan Seri MP Datuk Seri Dr Noor Azmi Ghazali have also left Umno.