KUALA LUMPUR: Muafakat Nasional is prepared to work with anyone in the interest of the nation, including the present government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, says its president Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
He said he regards Anwar as a good friend and they both share cordial relations.
“When he (Anwar) was sacked by Umno, I was a leader who did not attack him impolitely or rudely.
“His children and my children were close friends; they went to the same school and mosque in Bukit Damansara,” Annuar told a press conference at Muafakat’s office in Hartamas here yesterday.
Despite being sacked from Umno last week, Annuar said he does not hold any grudges against party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“Ahmad Zahid remains my friend and I still respect him,” he said, adding that it is his personal principle of not making enemies.
According to Annuar, there are nearly 20,000 people who have applied to be a part of Muafakat, which is registered as an NGO under the Registrar of Societies.
Among the 30 prominent leaders who have joined Muafakat are former Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin, former Tanjong Karang MP Tan Sri Noh Omar, former Segamat MP Datuk Seri Dr Edmund Santhara Kumar and Prof Datuk Dr Shamrahayu Abd Aziz.
Annuar also said he will not be appealing against his sacking from Umno but maintained he did not do anything against the party that warranted his removal.
The former Ketereh MP and minister added that he had only received a letter informing him of his sacking and he was not called to provide any explanation.
“First, if we want to appeal, we must know whether we did wrong or not. If we are not wrong, then we should appeal.
“But until today (yesterday), I don’t know and I was never called to explain verbally or in writing, and there was not even a phone call as a friend.
“So, I made the conclusion that they (Umno) don’t need me anymore,” he added.
He said Umno is a large party and his sacking wouldn’t matter to it.
“Umno is big. No one is indispensable. Without me, Umno is still here,” he added.
Earlier, during the hour-long press conference, Annuar said his sacking was conveyed in a letter by Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan last week.
Annuar said he had also written a five-page letter to Ahmad Zahid, saying that he was willing to provide an explanation. He, however, did not elaborate on the contents of the letter.
“There were sensitive matters that have big implications in Umno and the government. Therefore, I do not wish to share it with anyone,” he said.
Annuar also pointed out that there were many other leaders who were critical of Ahmad Zahid but who weren’t fired.
“Some even signed SDs (statutory declarations) supporting a certain individual, but they weren’t dismissed,” he said.
“In fact, I wasn’t a candidate and I campaigned (for Barisan Nasional), but I got the sack.”
In the 15th General Election, Annuar did not defend his parliamentary seat in Kelantan after he was dropped by Barisan as a candidate.
On Dec 9, Ahmad Maslan confirmed that Annuar was among three divisional leaders sacked by Umno. The other two were Maran division Wanita chief Datin Seri Fatimah Kassim and Arau division Wanita chief Datin Seri Shamsiah Yassin.
Ahmad Maslan 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 of the constitution regarding party ethics.
