Annuar Musa will not appeal Umno expulsion but maintains he did nothing wrong

KUALA LUMPUR: Tan Sri Annuar Musa will not be appealing his sacking from Umno but maintains he did not do anything that warrants booting him out of the party.

Annuar also said he had only received a letter informing that he was expelled from Umno but he was not called up to provide any explanation.

"We must know whether we did something wrong or not. If we are not wrong, then we should appeal. But until today (Dec 15), I don't know as I was never called (to explain) verbally, in writing or even by phone," said Annuar to reporters during a press conference held at Muafakat Nasional's office in Hartamas on Thursday (Dec 15) morning.

"So, I made a conclusion that they (Umno) don't need me any more," said Annuar.

The former Ketereh MP also said his expulsion would not affect the party much.

"Umno is big. No one is indispensable. Without me, Umno will still be here," he added.

Annuar had said his expulsion was conveyed to him in a letter from Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan last week.

Annuar also wrote a five-page letter to Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, saying that he was willing to provide an explanation. He did not elaborate on the contents of the letter.

"There were sensitive matters which have big implications in Umno and the government, so I do not wish to share it with anyone," added Annuar.

Last Friday (Dec 9), Ahmad confirmed that Annuar was among the three division leaders sacked by Umno.

Apart from Annuar, Maran Wanita Umno chief Datin Seri Fatimah Kassim and Arau Wanita chief Datin Seri Shamsiah Yassin were also expelled.

Ahmad had said the three were dismissed in accordance with Clause 10.6 of the Umno Constitution after they were found to have breached Clause 20.9 regarding party ethics.

Aside from being sacked by Umno, Annuar was also dropped by Barisan Nasional as a candidate in GE15.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that there were many other leaders who had been critical of Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi but were still in the party.

"Some even signed SDs supporting a certain individual but they weren't sacked.

"In fact, I wasn't a candidate and I campaigned (for Barisan), but I was still sacked.

Annuar also said he will focus on Muafakat Nasional, which is registered as an NGO under the Registrar of Societies.

According to Annuar, there were nearly 20,000 people who had applied to be a part of Muafakat.

Among the 30 prominent leaders who joined Muafakat are former Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, former Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, former Segamat MP Datuk Seri Edmund Santhara Kumar Ramanaidu and Prof Datuk Dr Shamrahayu Abd Aziz, among others.

"There isn't much time and I hope these 30 leaders will assist me in activities," he said.

Annuar also said Muafakat is willing to cooperate with the government of the day and political parties across the divide.