Annuar Musa accepts removal as Barisan Nasional secretary-general

PUTRAJAYA: Tan Sri Annuar Musa (pic) has accepted his removal as the Barisan Nasional secretary-general, a position he has held since March 2020.

The Federal Territories Minister said on Wednesday (Jan 6) that he understands the decision by Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to sack him from the post.

"I accept the chairman's decision to sack me. Barisan is a coalition of parties that form the Perikatan Nasional government. As the secretary-general, it is my job to establish a harmonious situation among the parties. I have tried to establish this to the best of my abilities," said Annuar at a press conference at his ministry here.

However, Annuar said that his sacking by Zahid was not in accordance with the Barisan rules.

“According to the rules, my removal from the post of Barisan secretary-general cannot be done by the president of Umno.

“It has to be through Barisan. We have to respect the views of the other component parties as well. We should not take them for granted. So I say, sack me once again but at a Barisan meeting, ” said Annuar.

Annuar said to date, he has not received anything official in writing on his sacking.

He said his replacement Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan had told him about it informally in a text message.

“I first learned of my sacking from the post at 12.36pm on Tuesday from friends in the media, ” said Annuar.

Annuar said that he is now free to act according to his own political stance and conscience as he is no longer the Barisan secretary-general.

“It is better for me not to be in cahoots with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s direction. Now that I am no longer the Barisan secretary-general, I am free to act according to my conscience, ” said Annuar.

“The differences have demanded that I should not be aligned with movements that are not in line with Umno’s supreme council," he added.

Annuar said there were several incidents that went against his political beliefs and principles.

He said this included support in black and white for PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to bring down the Perikatan Nasional government as well as discussions with DAP to establish a “new political alignment”.

Annuar also said that he was also not in agreement with constant attempts to destabilise the Perikatan government and the disrespect towards Umno’s “No DAP and no Anwar” stance.